09/02/18 - Citing the Stonehenge Trader, a local magazine, the "Year of Engineering" has been launched by Wiltshire Council. They have teamed up with industry partners and the government to make this venture a reality. In essence, this project is a national campaign to encourage young people into engineering careers.
A Graduate Engineer from JCP Engineers (as one of many business partners who volunteered across the sector) recently visited St. Joseph's Catholic School in Salisbury to talk to Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students in Year 10 about the best way to complete application forms, covering letters and their CV. Similar events will follow in the form of other curriculum activities and careers fairs.
The "Year of Engineering" will give young people and their families a chance to attend all kinds of inspiring events up and down the length of the country. It is hoped that the diversity of the profession, both in the job role itself and the people who follow it as a career, will shine through and inspire.
Creating positive role models is a key element of the scheme. Wiltshire Council proudly boast that a quarter of their engineers are women, compared with the average of 8% nationally. The promotion of equal opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, social background and sexuality is vital.
The cabinet member for children, Laura Mayes said "the Year of Engineering is a great campaign which helps young people understand more about the industry. We are offering a number of experiences that we hope will inspire young people to choose engineering as a career. We currently employ more than 100 engineers in a range of disciplines, and many more staff in associated technical roles so we place a real importance on recruitment in this area."
A range of case studies is available on the Work Wiltshire website, promoting the roles and vacancies on offer and showcasing positive role models.