A LEADING training provider in Newton Aycliffe has strengthened its relationship with young people eager to pursue a career in engineering at an event hosted by RTC North.
Representatives from South West Durham Training (SWDT) attended the Engineering Past Present and Future event held at the Railway Museum in Shildon last week and carried out a range of activities with students from across the region to help explore the future of engineering.
RTC North holds the STEMNET contract for Durham and Tees Valley, which creates opportunities to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
During the all-day event, the representatives from SWDT – a 46-year old company that delivers engineering and manufacturing training support, used a combination of attraction methods, including Balloon Locomotives, an interactive construction game in which students were asked to build an air powered vehicle which was judged by the distance and speed it travels.
Neil Mawson, vocational trainer and assessor at SWDT and STEM ambassador, said: “The event saw schools from across the North East invited to bring groups of pre and post 16 students to explore the future of STEM with the hopes of increasing young people’s choice and chances through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“As a STEM ambassador, I was thrilled to offer students a taster of a future career in engineering by allowing them to explore engineering design and the problems associated with the design and manufacture process of air powered vehicles.
“I was really impressed by the entries and many students showcased a promising career in the engineering sector.”
Organisations holding contracts coordinate the STEM Ambassadors programme on a local level, ensuring all schools and colleges have knowledge of, and access to, STEM Ambassadors in their area. They help to identify professionals with STEM skills to become STEM Ambassadors link STEM ambassadors with local schools and colleges to act as role models and help inspire and engage young people about the value of STEM in their daily lives help local STEM employers engage with schools and colleges in their communities.
Trevor Alley, chief executive at SWDT, said: “The role of STEM ambassadors in promoting careers in the engineering sector is extremely important, especially at a time when the North East generally, and Newton Aycliffe region specifically are experiencing really exciting growth opportunities in the sector provided by the Hitachi project and supply chain industries that will support them.”