www.engineeringdiploma.com

SOUTH HOLLAND

and also undertaken work placements: “The work placements are particularly important because when Guttridge was looking to take on workers and they came to us first,” Mr Jones said. “We look for students who fit the bill. One of our students has now successfully gone through the selection process and has secured sponsorship to go to university, and will go and work for the company afterwards.” Another company offering employment

opportunities on the back of partnerships forged through the Diploma and the school’s other engineering qualifications is Spalding Power Station. The facility has already hosted visits from students. “They have been looking to take on two apprentices this year so we will be putting some of our interested students forward,” Mr Jones added. “These opportunities for employment are an added bonus to us and our students. Companies know that they will be getting high calibre candidates with some prior knowledge of what they do, some familiarity with the industry, and a genuine interest in the job. The students, meanwhile, can see that they have the prospect of work with a local business after leaving school or university if they do well. “We have tried to get as many links as

possible with different companies so that the students get a good idea of what happens in the industry.” During their visit to Spalding Power

Station, students learned about renewable energy which is one of the units in their course. Agriculture plays an important part of

the economy in Lincolnshire and another partnership is with RJ Herbert Engineering, which is based in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Students were taken on a tour of the factory to look at how the company has used its engineering expertise to diversify the products it produces. “The company manufacturers harvesting

support at CGT, who accompanied the engineering students to China to do their wind turbine project, said: “We want to raise awareness because engineering is not an occupation young people know about or see much of. From the television they know what a policeman or a doctor does, but not an engineer. A recent study suggested that the only famous engineer any of them had heard of was Kevin, the mechanic in Coronation Street, which is shocking really. “We offer work placements in our company

to let them experience what it is like to do the job. Many of them arrive with no idea of what it involves. “The sad fact is that we have fewer and

fewer engineers in the UK and increasingly we have to recruit in this country from overseas. Hopefully, the Diploma in Engineering will help to address this problem.” Links with local industry mean that students have access to engineering support for their Extended Projects, while work experience is carefully planned in conjunction with the school’s community links manager. Another of the business partners is Guttridge Services Limited, which specialises in laser-cutting and profiling and water jet cutting equipment. Students have visited the factory to see the work that goes on there

and packing machinery, some of which is so sophisticated that it can spot whether a potato is ready to be picked, or needs to remain in the ground for longer,” said Mr Jones. “But it has also diversified into designing and manufacturing airport baggage carousels. So it was interesting for students to see how adaptable they can be.” Ms Marsh said the current cohort of students was showing tremendous interest in engineering as a career and the consortium now plans to implement Engineering at Level 3 this September. More than half of the current students have indicated that they are interested in carrying on in year 12. One of the Diploma students, Rob Birchall,

said Mr Jones had been “highly supportive, enthusiastic and proactive in ensuring that the students have got the best possible experience out of the course”. He said: “His practical approach to lessons

lets me discover new skills and always leaves me with a sense of achievement. “He has assisted the students through

several units; encouraging the use of creative thinking, teamwork and problem-solving. He gives us advice on careers in the industry across a wider view of the engineering world.”

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