Students Set Sail Towards a Career in Engineering with the Smallpeice Trust

Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, July 21, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Ninety-nine students from schools across the UK, recently attended a Marine Technology course from the 12th to 15th July at the University of Southampton. The course provided the 13 and 14 year old students with a fun-filled timetable of educational and fun activities to give them a unique insight into the marine industry and the diverse and rewarding careers that it can offer.

The four-day residential programme was generously financially supported by The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust (The LRET). Working alongside facilitators from Babcock Marine and the University’s School of Engineering Sciences, students were set to work on the main hands-on design-and-make project to build their own ship against set criteria and strict specifications such as the ability to carry an amount of weight and to travel at a certain speed. On the final morning students tested their ships in the university swimming pool. Students taking part in the course developed their core life skills in team building, communication, time management, problem solving and presentations.

As part of the course, students were taken on a visit to BAE Systems which gave them an insight into engineering on a commercial scale. They also had the opportunity to take part in a cruise around Southampton’s harbour to demonstrate the importance of marine transportation to the nation and to the prosperity of the region.

The exciting mix of theoretical and practical activities was enjoyed by all the students who showcased their designs and projects to senior representatives from major companies in an exhibition and formal dinner on the final night in a grand finale to the four-day event.

Michael Franklin, Director of The LRET commented, "It is vitally important that we have the right supply and quality of engineering professionals for the future of the UK’s economy. Through courses like this we are able to develop young people’s knowledge and experience of engineering and encourage them to embark on a career in the marine technology sector. The students have shown a great deal of enthusiasm and dedication to their project work, demonstrating to us the importance of a course like this which we are happy to sponsor."

Dr. Andrew Cave, Chief Executive of The Smallpeice Trust said, "Thanks to our sponsor, The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust, we are able to offer students a unique and practical hands-on learning experience. This Marine Technology course enables students to work with industry and academic professionals and discover the vast array of career opportunities in this important industry."

The Marine Technology course is run by independent charity, The Smallpeice Trust, and is part of an on-going programme of residential courses to help young people aged 13 to 18 learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. Through running residential courses and STEM enrichment days, The Trust has reached out to 17,677 students across the UK in the past year.

The new course timetable for 2012 will be launched in the autumn school term. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. To find out more, visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephoneThe Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.

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About The Smallpeice Trust:

The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charitable trust which promotes engineering as a career, primarily through the provision of residential courses for young people aged 13 to 18.

The Smallpeice Trust was founded in 1966 by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a pioneering engineer and inventor of the Smallpeice Lathe. Following the stock market flotation of his company Martonair, Dr Smallpeice invested his energy and part of his personal fortune to set up the Trust to ensure that British industry could continuously benefit from his proven design and engineering philosophies: “Simplicity in design, economy in production.”

The Trust is now governed by an eminent board of non-executive trustees and members from a diverse range of engineering, industry, educational and professional bodies. In 2009/10, The Smallpeice Trust ran 30 residential courses for 1,700 school-aged students at universities across the country, with girls accounting for 38%. In addition, 15,977 students attended a Smallpeice in-school STEM masterclass.

About The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust:

The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust (The LRET) is an independent charity that was established in 2004. Its principal purpose is to support advances in transportation, science, engineering and technology education, training and research worldwide for the benefit of all. It also funds work that enhances the safety of life and property at sea, on land and in the air.