Students chart careers with Atlas
A Weymouth school is helping students map out their future careers with the backing of Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK).
Budmouth College has signed up to the trailblazing Young Chamber Programme thanks to sponsorship from the company.
Sixth formers visited AEUK on the Dorset Green Technology Park at Winfrith for a day of presentations and a tour of facilities.
Budmouth has become the first school in Weymouth and Portland to sign up to the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) led initiative to bridge the gap between education and business.
Year 12 student Oscar Dawe, 17, said: “It was a really interesting day. I want to follow a career in engineering and autonomous vehicles so it was great to see all of the cool technology they have.”
Dylan Wallis, 16, also a Year 12 student, added: “Our visit showed that there are great jobs nearby and that you don’t have to leave for the big city to advance your career.”
AEUK, which employs more than 300 people at Winfrith, has a world leading engineering and scientific capability that supplies innovative maritime systems for such customers as the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy.
Engineering Apprentice Charlotte Cox, who is a former Budmouth student, was among the AEUK employees to give presentations to students.
Chief Engineer Steve Pointer, alumni of Budmouth’s predecessor Weymouth Grammar School, also spoke to students about careers at AEUK.
The students were accompanied by teacher Jane Morris and Marcel Ciantar, who is Director of The Centre of Excellence for Industrial Liaison (CEIL) at Budmouth.
Jane said: “AEUK is a tremendous business with a very diverse range of opportunities for students.
“Our sincere thanks to them for sponsoring our membership of the Young Chamber Programme and for the great lengths they have gone to welcome us and show students the superb careers available.”
Budmouth already has a strong relationship with AEUK through its CEIL. It is the second school to be sponsored by AEUK for the Young Chamber Programme, following in the footsteps of Thomas Hardye earlier this year.
AEUK HR Director Russell Warren, who hosted students with Learning and Development Officer Emily Gollop and Chief Technology Officer Jim Kelly, said: “The Young Chamber Programme is good for schools and good for employers.”
Young Chamber Programme Co-ordinator Will Montgomery, who was accompanied by DCCI Chief Executive Ian Girling, added: “AEUK have been one of our strongest supporters as the Programme goes from strength to strength.”
For more details on the Programme or if you are looking to sponsor a school contact Will on 01202 714817 or will.montgomery@dcci.co.uk.
Visit www.dcci.co.uk/young-chamber-programme and follow on Twitter under @YoungChamber123 and use hashtag #bridgingthegap on social media.
