A group of youngsters from the Military Mentors Training Academy visited HMS Sultan recently to learn about engineering in the Royal Navy.
Eighteen 16-19-year olds were given a morning of hands on activities within the Defence College of Technical Training’s Defence School of Marine Engineering and the Royal Naval Air Engineering & Survival Equipment School.
Based at Bridgemary School, Gosport, the Military Mentors Academy run a college course for students who aspire towards a career in the Services.
Offering a Level 1 or Level 2 Diploma for entry into the uniformed services and qualifications in first aid and martial arts, the Academy also teaches students about core military values, the selection process and helps prepare them for the first phase of military training.
Retired Navy Commander, and former Provost Marshal Navy Tony West who founded the academy said: “The kids all turn up with aspirations of being within the Services.
“Some of them don’t know which one they are going to join, so we have lots of visits like this and speakers from all three Services who will come in and tell them all about what career choices are available.”
“You will find that some of them will change their minds half way through the course because of some of the visits and presentations that they’ve had, so being able to come in to HMS Sultan is really useful for them.”
Megan O’Leary, 18, said: “I want to be in the Navy and a couple of my friends have already gone on to join the military.
“It’s been really good to get to see everything, I didn’t think being an engineer would interest me, but looking at today it’s actually alright.”
Warrant Officer Alexander ‘Midge’ Ure who escorted the group throughout said: “In my role as a STEM Ambassador I’ve visited the group before, but this is the first time that they have visited HMS Sultan and seen our training first hand.”
“There’s been a lot of enthusiasm and they’ve interacted really well. Hopefully the visit will help excite them about the Royal Navy and the engineering options available.”
