by Duncan Newman, Economic Development Officer
The first cohort of BTEC Foundation Diploma in Engineering students at The Grange School are currently out on work experience placements at a number of local engineering businesses. This week, we joined Rob Palmer, Assistant Headteacher, on two of his visits to students to see how they are getting on and to hear from their ‘employers’ too.
We were delighted with the feedback from both the students and the engineering businesses.
Rob said, “Visiting the students this week has been an absolute pleasure! I am so pleased with the way they have integrated themselves within the teams they are working with. They have all shown initiative and maturity and they are looking forward to their second work placement in a few weeks’ time.
This is a fantastic programme which enables students to see first-hand what engineering is all about. We’ve pushed the boundaries and the placements have been more successful than we could have ever hoped. We’re seeing positive engagement between students and employers with students getting a view of the bigger picture.”
Luke Steele-Perkins is completing his work experience placement at Signature TechnicAir. Luke said, “This placement has definitely been more than I thought it would be. I was expecting to do a lot of watching as people worked but I have got involved in the work and the best part has been working in the hangar. I’m now looking forward to becoming an apprentice when I leave school.”
John Hamshere, Sales and Customer Support Manager, Signature TechnicAir commented, “I’ve received some very positive feedback from the team Luke has been working with. Luke has enjoyed gaining an insight into the different areas of the business including HR and Finance as well Technical Services which provides him with the bigger picture in terms of the whole business.”
Zoe Brown and Bobby Bastable are on placement at Curtiss-Wright. Zoe said, “I’m really enjoying my placement. Everyone is busy but they all make time to help me. It’s been good to work with Curtiss-Wright apprentices too. I’d really like to return to Curtiss-Wright for the second part of my placement.”
Bobby added, “I’m really enjoying my placement. It’s good to be working alongside apprentices. It’s always busy and I’m getting loads of support with my work.”
Joe, Winstanley, Senior Project Engineer at Curtiss-Wright, Zoe’s manager, said, “The placement has been very successful so far. Zoe is brilliant and is getting involved in different aspects of work including engineering and the shop floor. She shows initiative and a real interest in the work. We work in a male dominated area so it good to see Zoe here as part of our team.”
Karen Moss, HR Manager, Curtiss-Wright added, “Work experience placements are a positive addition to the Foundation programme. The placements provide students with a wide range of experience from the shop floor to the technical skills office. It is also valuable to us as a business as it enables us to show students the work we do and the opportunities we offer to our apprentices.”
What great feedback! We’re thrilled that the students are benefitting from their work experience placements and that the businesses have the opportunity to showcase their work and the opportunities they offer their apprentices. This is why I love my job!