CHORLEY AND SOUTH RIBBLE

www.engineeringdiploma.com

Inspiring delivery

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In Lancashire, one consortium’s engineering offer involves the innovative use of ICT to engage with students and employers. It also boasts an impressive partnership with BAE Systems, which is inspiring both students and staff

he input of business in our Engineering Diploma is crucial. How else can we make sure that we are

providing a qualification that has value and is suitable to the needs of the industry?” Travall Towriess, the line lead for the Diploma in Engineering in the Chorley and South Ribble Consortium and director of specialisms at Leyland St Mary’s Catholic Technology College in Lancashire, has worked hard to engage employers. Big names such as BAE Systems and

Leyland sit alongside smaller and medium- sized companies that have helped not only with Diploma design, but also in ensuring that the content has currency as far as the engineering industry is concerned. The partnership also has wider benefits

for teaching staff. “We are lucky in this area because many of the staff teaching the Diploma have come from an engineering background,” said Mr Towriess, who is domain assessor for engineering and who was nominated for the National Delivering Diplomas Awards in the Teacher or Lecturer of the Year category (BAE Systems was also nominated in the employer category). Mr Towriess continued: “Where necessary,

companies have been able to help us with staff training, where their skills might be lacking or to act as refreshers for those who have been out of industry for a long time. We have had staff being offered placements in industry for a day or two to refresh their skills. We also have access to a virtual learning environment (VLE) which meets a similar need. “The companies we work with can inform our teaching staff about industry-standard

specifications and issues such as health and safety which are, of course, crucial in the industry. The great thing is that we know the facilities are there if we need them.” One of the companies that has been

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involved in the Diploma in Engineering design and delivery from the start is the MAS (Military Air Solutions) business unit of BAE Systems. The company made a commitment early on that it would work with the consortium to ensure that the content of

module on maintenance, following requests for this from schools. This might include students studying an aeroplane with a fault, which they must find before considering solutions for its repair. The tasks will be

The companies we work with can inform our teaching staff about industry-standard specifications and issues such as health and safety which are, of course, crucial in the industry

the Diploma met the needs of students and of the industry as a whole. “The idea is to enhance pupils’ learning

experience and help to ensure that the skills they gain make them more employable,” Mr Towriess said. “MAS has provided not only bespoke

material for inclusion in the consortium’s VLE, but also a web-based resource which can be accessed by any consortium through their education website. “This is to be expanded this year to include

an exciting interactive resource based around the world-leading Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The company has liaised closely

interactive so, in this case, for example, there will be a voltmeter on the screen allowing learners to check the aircraft’s wiring. A crucial constituent part of the Diploma is

with its partners in education to ensure that the material provided not only matches the curriculum, but also focuses on those key areas which only an industry perspective can provide. In this way, they are always seeking to maximise the benefit of the company’s involvement.” The website contains a huge range of

exercises and activities for different age groups, including post-14s, as well as information about what engineers actually do, and the pathways young people wishing to enter the profession can take to achieve their ambition. One unit currently being developed is a

work experience and this is another area where BAE Systems has committed its support. The company provides a number of high quality work placements based around their local sites, which have been specially chosen to meet the requirements of the qualification. “These placements have had a very positive

effect on the Diploma students and has enhanced their learning,” Mr Towriess added. Nigel Austin, BAE’s development project

manager, said: “What we try to do is to arrange suitable hosts in different parts of the business so the young people can get an idea of the different aspects of engineering that go on here. “These placements may involve working

in the assembly areas, which might mean students observing and working with an electrician. “We try to give them as much experience

as possible as well as some responsibility, although this may be limited in some parts of the plant, so that they are meeting the competencies specified within the Diploma syllabus. “For example, they might do something on

health and safety, which is a crucial aspect of working in engineering. We try to bring out elements that will provide the best experience possible of a real-life work setting.” Furthermore, BAE has been a key partner in

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