The Royal Navy is among the sponsors of young people taking part in this year’s Engineering Education Scheme.
The regional launch of the scheme, which runs in England and Scotland, was held recently at HMS Raleigh. Around 65 students from schools across Devon attended the day, where they met their sponsors and took part in team-building activities.
Under the scheme Year 12 students and their teacher are linked with local companies to work on real, scientific, engineering and technological problems.
The scheme provides students with an in-depth experience in the subject area, enabling them to make an informed decision about their future studies and careers.
Each group works in teams of between four and six people and has six months to complete the task set for them by their sponsoring company. The Royal Navy is sponsoring Plymouth University Technical College (UTC) and South Devon UniversityTechnical College (UTC).
Lieutenant Commander Paul Youngman, who acts as the Royal Navy’s UTC Liaison Officer for the South West, said: “The Royal Navy is responsible for the safety of our nation and engineering is at the heart of this.
“When we work together as a team, warships move, aircraft fly, weapons fire, and the world is a safer place. The Royal Navy has been involved in the Engineer Education Scheme since 2002.
“We also work closely with the Baker Dearing Trust to support the UTC initiative to provide high quality technically focussed education to 14-19 year olds.
“The Royal Navy recognises the importance of promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects across education and in particular, promoting technical and engineering education within UTCs.”
Continuing with the success of this scheme, local schools taking part this year also include Devonport High School for Boys and Tor Bridge High.
Aiden Summers, aged 17, from Tor Bridge High said: “I became involved with the scheme because I enjoy engineering. I would like to get a taste of all areas of engineering to see where I want to focus my career.”
During the launch day, the students were introduced to HMS Raleigh’s Damage Repair Instructional Unit known as HMS Havoc.
A mock-up of a flooding ship which rocks and rolls from side to side, students fight to save their ship from sinking by plugging breaches in the hull using soft wood, which expands to stop the inrush of water.
The simulator is used to teach sailors vital skills to maintain safety at sea, but it is also an excellent team-building facility.
To close the day the students were put through their paces by HMS Raleigh’s PT department to see if they could keep up with fitness levels expected from new recruits.
The Engineering Education Scheme is run by the Engineering Development Trust (EDT). The charity delivers over 30,000 STEM experiences each year, for young people age 11-21 across the UK.
The Royal Navy are among the organisations offering a range of career opportunities in engineering and other technical areas.
