Local businesses invest in engineers of the future - 27th September 2007
Around 200 students from schools and colleges around Norfolk descended on the Hethel Engineering Centre on Wednesday, to find out first hand from local and national businesses and other organisations that there is more to a career in engineering than just greasy overalls.
The convention, organised by Breckland Council’s Rural Enterprise Valley Project (REV), aimed to encourage youngsters in the local area to consider the numerous engineering career options available, and to assist them through the maze of career paths in specific sectors.
The convention, sponsored by AimHigher Norfolk and delivered in partnership with the Hethel Engineering Centre and ProTrain, was the first of its kind in Norfolk to enthuse the future workforce about the massive opportunities in the county in engineering and motorsport. The lack of skills in these sectors locally is providing recruitment difficulties for employers and is a barrier to business growth.
Participants, aged between 15 and 18, enjoyed a busy day of seminars, exhibitions, one to ones, competitions and demonstrations. Local and national businesses gave up their time free of charge to motivate and encourage the youngsters to take their next step. Speakers included representatives from a number of local companies representing key sectors such as mechanical, machine, construction and electronic engineering, R&D, motorsport, and the armed forces. Among the exhibitors were a range of regional Universities and Colleges and careers guidance organisations.
A competition organised by Pro Train proved particularly popular and uncovered some great design and builds by budding engineers of the future. Students had to build a vehicle complete with motor - several winners travelled a considerable distance and managed to pass the finishing post.
William Nunn, Leader of Breckland Council, says: “Norfolk is a great place to find work and develop a future career. If we are to deliver a vision of Norfolk as a leader in motorsport and engineering we need to see industry, universities and colleges collaborating to interest young people in the opportunities available. The success of this event demonstrates the level of interest in engineering and hopefully some of the participants today will progress into the industry.”
Angela Carpenter from event sponsors AimHigher Norfolk was delighted by the turnout and said “Aim Higher Norfolk is about widening participation in further and higher education and we are keen to promote vocational education. This event was an excellent opportunity to forge links with employers, learning providers, schools and students to maximize the opportunities which exist and are being developed in the engineering and technology sectors in Norfolk”