Sea Cadets from across the UK have been experiencing an exciting week of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based activities at the Royal Navy’s Sea Cadets Engineering Summer Camp.
Hosted at HMS Sultan, the 24 cadets aged between 14 and 18 were given hands-on experience of air and marine engineering within the Defence College of Technical Training’s Defence School of Marine Engineering and the Royal Naval Air Engineering & Survival Equipment School in support of the ‘2018 Year of Engineering’ cross-government campaign to encourage young people into engineering.
As well as promoting engineering, the week also offered the cadets an opportunity to develop an understanding of leadership within the Royal Naval Leadership Academy at HMS Collingwood, and make trips to QinetiQ, the Royal Navy’s research agency, and go on board HMS Dragon and HMS Westminster.
The cadets were accommodated throughout the week within the HMS Sultan Royal Naval Cadets Unit with the cadets having to ensure that 'Fort Grange Keep' was kept fit for a rounds inspection throughout.
On the Friday morning before heading home, the cadets ensured that their boots were sparkling as they attended a special passing out parade.
Certificates were presented to each cadet by Commodore Paul Marshall CBE Royal Navy, the Type 26 Programme Director. In addition, cadet Titania Whitam from Hull based unit TS Iron Duke was presented with a special prize as the groups top performer.
Titania said, “I travelled a long way to take part in the week and I’m really glad that I have. The guys in the workshops have been excellent. They’ve welcomed us in even with lots of Navy training going on around us. There’s a lot more to it than I expected.”
“I didn’t think I was passionate about engineering, but then a few years ago I tried for my third-class engineering badge and got into it a bit more and also got into motor vehicles. After that I decided I wanted to start looking at Marine Engineering and now I want to succeed as a Marine Engineer in either the Royal Navy or Merchant Navy.”
“Many people look at engineering and see it as a boy thing, but there’s more and more females on the engineer side in both civvy street and the services that are trying it and liking it. We are definitely taking over.”
Visit liaison officer, Lieutenant Commander Doug Ritchie said' “This was a fantastic event which brought the National Sea Cadet Organisation and the Royal Navy together under the Year of Engineering banner.
"It is hoped this event will become an enduring annual engagement which will continue to support and showcase the Royal Navy’s commitment towards inspiring young people to enter into engineering careers.”
