School pupils take on Engineering Skills Challenge

1 December 2006

Year 9 pupils from Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Cardigan, Greenhill, Sir Thomas Picton and Milford Haven Schools were at Pembrokeshire College recently as part of an all Wales initiative - Engineering Week Wales. Over 60 pupils visited the college to take part in engineering workshop activities such as the construction of electronic Christmas trees and assembling metal clocks. College lecturers and apprentices from Chevron Pembroke refinery were on hand to ensure the pupils had a productive and enjoyable day.

Engineering Week Wales has the strong support of City & Guilds, Edexcel, Semta, the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP) and the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE). The aim of Engineering Week Wales, which has been jointly developed by Fforwm, the Association of Welsh Colleges, and Careers Wales, is to promote careers in engineering with a particular emphasis on modern engineering as an industry.

Engineering Week Wales is especially relevant in Pembrokeshire, said Hugh Roch, Programme Area Manager for the college's engineering courses, The growth of the energy industry in the county has created some interesting and well paid career opportunities. The college activities were designed to give school pupils an insight into engineering and encourage them to consider career opportunities within the industry.

Lesley Rees from Careers Wales, commented: Wales needs more engineers and Engineering Week Wales's taster sessions give young people an idea of what people do in real engineering jobs. It provided a first-hand experience of what their future career could be and what they need to do to get there.

To find out about engineering, ask your local Careers Wales West advisor.

Photo caption

Pictured is Wesley Davies aged 13 of Greenhill School making an electronic Christmas tree with guidance from Pembrokeshire College Chevron modern apprentice William Davies (no relation), who also studied at Greenhill School before studying on an ND in Electronics at college. Wesley commented that, It was a great experience, I want to become an engineer. The facilities are really good at college with loads of different machinery.