DBD are delighted to be involved with the Royal Academy of Engineering as it launches an outreach project in the Welsh Valleys.

A five-year project to encourage pupils in the South Wales valleys to study engineering has been launched by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE). It is the first time the UK body, which promotes excellence in the industry has operated such a programme in Wales. It begins with 130 primary and secondary school pupils taking part in activities and challenges. The aim is to encourage STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Andrew Carlick, CEO DBD Group, is one of the business leaders involved with the Valleys project. Accompanied by Laura Ratcliffe, Process Engineer, and Carwyn Chamberlain, Graduate Engineer, Andrew gave a presentation about careers in Engineering when they returned to their old school, Afon Taf High, to speak to pupils.

The Welsh Valleys has a long history of Engineering and this project builds on that heritage, supporting the untapped engineering potential within local students to build a skills base for engineering companies in South Wales.

This partnership approach draws together pupils from Primary and Secondary Schools, further education Colleges, employers, Government and other key stakeholders to inspire and encourage more young people to study (STEM) subjects in post-16 education. The programme will enrich the curriculum, stimulate interest and improve student attainment outcomes by bringing real-world engineering practice into the student experience. The aim of the project is to encourage a diverse range of young people to progress towards the Engineering roles of the future in local industry.

The Welsh Valleys Engineering Project will establish and run a network of Primary and Secondary School teachers capable of supporting each other and sharing good practice. Funding will support involvement in national and regional Engineering programmes as well as the purchase of kit and equipment to enhance and enrich the delivery of the STEM curriculum in Schools and Colleges. It will provide up to 4,000 STEM learning opportunities for young people each year. Students will also be able to apply for a bursary to support them during Engineering-related A Levels or vocational/technical qualifications.

The project will work in close collaboration with local STEM providers Engineering Education Scheme Wales (STEM Cymru), see Science and other education and skills partners and will run for a minimum of five years. It is based on the template of successful Academy Engineering education projects in Barrow-in-Furness, Stoke-on-Trent, and Lowestoft, Suffolk which, have delivered more than 100,000 STEM learning opportunities for young people since their launch. The Welsh Valleys project builds on this model and is the first such programme to include a bursary scheme that provides a clear and continuous pathway to local Engineering careers through further education.