A group of enthusiastic youngsters from Lytchett Minster School visited HMS Sultan recently, with the Jon Egging Trust, in order to be inspired by Air and Marine Engineering within the Royal Navy.
A total of 16 pupils spent a day visiting the Defence College of Technical Training’s two Schools within HMS Sultan, the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School (RNAESS) and the Defence School of Marine Engineering (DSMarE).
The young people undertook tours of HMS Sultan’s facilities, and got involved in a number of hands-on tasks.
These included the replacement of aircraft components using hand tools, wearing sea survival equipment, and boarding a life raft.
Lunch gave the opportunity for the young people to chat to Sultan trainees about their experiences as Air and Marine Engineering technicians on the RN’s latest helicopters, ships, and submarines.
The young people also spent some time on leadership tasks, enhancing their communications, confidence, and team building, before visiting the DSMarE where they each got to remove and replace the fuel injector on a small diesel engine.
Lieutenant Commander Dave Bartlett who organised the visit said: “It was great to see the students being inspired by their visit to HMS Sultan.
“The hands-on experience working with the aircraft and marine engines of the Royal Navy gave them a real excitement and insight to the work that we do on a daily basis.”
The Jon Egging Trust was established in memory of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, who lost his life whilst completing an air display with the Red Arrows at the Bournemouth Air Festival in 2011.
The Trust provides teamwork, leadership, and work experience opportunities to young people.
Trust Youth Liaison Officer, Kaye Jackson accompanied the children throughout the visit.
She said: “What a huge impact the visit to HMS Sultan has made on the students, it’s been a real eye-opener for everyone.”
“Talking to young Royal Naval students and being in the limelight are all new experiences and the visit has also been educational, showing them skills beyond the classroom.”
“The Jon Egging Trust is about helping young people be the best they can be and the experience given to them by HMS Sultan has given them something to aspire to. It’s been a super day.”
