Academy holds Engineering Week challenge
RIBA Architecture Ambassadors and AHP Architects & Surveyors Ltd challenged Year 11s at WMG Academy for Young Engineers Solihull, part of WMG Academy Trust, to a design and modelling challenge.
Learning and applying the concepts of a community master plan, teams designed and presented how they would regenerate the local area. The students were also challenged to make models using aspects of their proposed designs. The academy would like to extend a thank you to Daniel Kelsall and Lily Smith for inspiring their students by sharing your journeys into architecture.
The Year 13s also participated in a Young Enterprise Grid for Good Masterclass. Supported by National Grid, Annabelle Armes led her team of volunteers, including the academy’s own alumni Aleeza Nawal, now a Contract Analyst Apprentice at National Grid. Additionally, the students benefited from the guidance of Ella Cusdin who shared her journey into a Higher Apprenticeship in People Function and Nnaemeka Anyiam, Electricity Compliance Engineer.
Samuel Austin, Year 13 at WMG Academy, said: "National Grid's, Grid for Good program helped me gain an insight into how the recruitment process worked. It was great to create a pitch in front of National Grid to showcase my skills."
The day was packed with engaging activities: Post 16/18 Opportunities, Buzz Quizzes, STAR Interview Techniques and a Assessment Centre Challenge. The latter culminated in presentations in terms of what items the students decided to keep for survival after a fictitious aircraft crash.
This was a day full of vital learning about employability skills and widening the students' gaze into future apprenticeship opportunities with National Grid. The academy would also like to extend a thank you Annabelle Armes for coordinating the day, being part of WMG Academy Trust and investing your time and enthusiasm into the future engineers.
The academy said it was wonderful to have the opportunity to welcome back two alumni, Sana Rehman, a Civil Engineer degree apprentice with AtkinsRéalis and Darla Caraher, Assistant Engineer at Arup, along with Fiona Weir, Social Value Manager for VINCI to support the Year 13 female students for a STAR Interview Workshop.
Darla Caraher, Assistant Engineer (Arup), said: "It's a really useful workshop for the students and every student was really engaged which was good to see." (In reference to the STAR Interview for Engineering Workshop.)
Rebecca Archer, Business Engagement & Student Destinations manager, said: "Celebrating Tomorrow's Engineering Week 2023 promotes the opportunities available within Engineering to all our students at WMG Academy for Young Engineers Solihull. The week fully supports Gatsby Benchmark 5- Encounters with Employers and Benchmark 7- Encounters with Higher Education, to widen our students' gaze in terms of career pathways and challenging stereotypes. It was fantastic to welcome representatives from: Arup, AtkinsRealis, CBRE, National Grid, RIBA, the Royal Academy of Engineering, Tilbury Douglas, Veolia and VINCI, with students also visiting the University of Warwick for a Student Showcase and introduction into ESports."
As the students at WMG Academy Trust near the end of their academic journey, the firsthand support and guidance from Engineering professionals ensures that the students are confident to transition into apprenticeships, employment or university.
