Visitor attraction operator Merlin Entertainments has announced a new initiative which will see engineers given specialist training in the theme park industry at Staffordshire’s Alton Towers Resort.
The brand-new Merlin Engineering Academy will provide a platform to nurture theme park engineers of tomorrow as well as providing training opportunities for current engineers to upskill, whilst also addressing a UK skills shortage.
As part of the 2023 cohort, 12 new apprentices will join Merlin Entertainments and half of them will be based at Alton Towers Resort, in North Staffordshire.
The budding engineers will be fully-immersed in the theme park environment, dedicating additional days each week to learn about the site and the industry as a whole.
They will be exposed to a wide array of technical skills, including working at heights, mastering hydraulics and pneumatics, and gaining industry-specific knowledge like inspection awareness, ADIPS (Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme), and HSG175 compliance.
A resort spokesman said: “The most exciting aspect of this apprenticeship program is that it goes beyond the conventional training.
“Apprentices at Alton Towers Resort will dive deep into the inner workings of the park’s iconic rides, understanding their intricate maintenance requirements.
“They will also play a role in technical inspections and executing remedial maintenance to ensure that all rides operate safely and in strict accordance with HSG175 and manufacturer requirements.”
The scheme in Staffordshire will be ran in collaboration with the JCB Academy, in nearby Rocester.
Michael Jones, one of the driving forces behind the Engineering Academy, said, “Our pioneering Engineering Academy is a testament to our resolute belief in education’s transformative power.
“We’re not just cultivating engineers; we’re fostering innovators and pioneers who will shape the future of entertainment.”
Fiona Eastwood, Chief Operating Officer for Midway and Resort and Theme Parks for Merlin Entertainments, said: “This visionary venture is not just about rollercoasters; it’s about propelling the industry into the future.
“The Merlin Engineering Academy is testament to Merlin’s dedication to inclusion, innovation, and delivering memorable joyful experiences.
“As the academy’s first apprentices step into our exhilarating world, they are on track to become the architects of excitement, ensuring safe and memorable experiences for our guests, now and into the future.”
Merlin Entertainments operates over 140 attractions, 23 hotels and six holiday villages in 25 countries.
Alton Towers employs around 2,000 people.
