Chris Spellman

Said the following about Tom O'Brien - **HAS LEFT**:

“Tom O Brien is an Apprentice E&P (Electrification and Plant) designer of the AECOM E&P team in Swindon since September 2015. He was selected under the Apprentice Scheme in collaboration with Wiltshire College. During the past 3 years he has successfully completed an Electrical and Electronics HND with Distinction along with completing his Level 4 Advanced NVQ in Engineering and therefore successfully completed his apprenticeship in October 2018. He is now a full time E&P design engineer within the team.

In his journey with AECOM, Tom has carried out exceptional design work on several Electrification and Plant projects whilst conducting research and learning for HNC and HND modules.

Only within a year after he joined as an Apprentice, Tom was appointed as designer for Western Tranche 1 project, under mentorship from a Senior Engineer. He was responsible for carrying out heating and ventilations designs within the switchrooms, following the Network Rail standards and GRIP process. Tom was able to review the client remit, research standards and then apply them to calculate the thermal heat dissipation through the building structure to determine the transfer and ventilation losses. He was then able to size and specify the heating plant and associated electrical design. Tom worked independently, with minimal input from peers and liaised with the client, presented the design to stake holders and had positive feedback. The design was successfully installed, tested and commissioned with Tom assisting with queries from the installation team. He has also had involvement in the closure of the Western Tranche 1 project which involved management of a design provided by the civils department and arranging as built drawings to be updated. Tom also provided an addendum which involved a heating and ventilation design in order to rectify the condition of signalling power location cases inside a Signalling PSP (Power Supply Point).Tom’s approach and proactive working was beyond the level that would be expected from Year 1 Apprentice.

For the past year Tom has been the lead E&P design engineer for the delivery of a project called “NUCKLE” (Nuneaton to Coventry Line Extension), which includes the installation of a new platform along with track upgrades. Tom has been tasked with providing the designs for the points heating at multiple sites and platform/walkway lighting for the scheme. Tom has been able to interface his designs with other disciplines in order to provide a suitable design within the time and cost constraints. He has been able to demonstrate his knowledge in E&P design and leading a project by providing design solutions which meet the current standards and Clients’ requirements. He has conducted many E&P site visits and has demonstrated his ability to work with site constraints in respect with his design and also follow the correct safety procedures and follow Network Rail’s ‘Life saving Rules’. The CRE (Contractors Responsible Engineer) is extremely pleased with his approach to the design and would like to work with him for many more future projects.

Tom has also been working in parallel on the Old Oak Common Depot Decommissioning project as the lead designer for the 6.6kV cable diversion. He has developed his knowledge surrounding high voltage design and has now successfully submitted both approval in principal and detailed design submissions for Stage 2 and 3 of the project. Tom has also assisted in the mechanical and low voltage supply designs. He has received several applauding comments from the Senior Old Oak Common Project Manager and Engineering Manager.

Tom is extremely valuable employee to AECOM. He has a bright future as he continues developing himself on wide variety of Electrification projects and passing his knowledge to junior apprentices. AECOM will continue supporting him in his development as Electrification and Plant Engineer.“