Tuesday 20th February, was a standout moment for me and many others passionate about the future of engineering – The Engineering Trust Annual Awards. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of positivity, ambition and unity, making it a truly special occasion for everyone involved. It was the third year I’d been asked to judge and the fantastic team at the Engineering Trust, headed by CEO Mark Vingoe, pulled off another great event.
Tom St John, from The Manufacturer, kicked off the event with a thought-provoking introduction on the common misconceptions surrounding manufacturing.
Often unfairly labelled as a ‘dirty’ and ‘factory-based’ industry, manufacturing suffers from a PR problem that makes it less appealing to the younger generation. However, as Tom eloquently pointed out, a visit to any manufacturing site today would reveal a world of innovation, often characterised by environments that are as sparkling clean as they are technologically advanced. His words set the tone for the evening, highlighting the need to reset our collective thinking about the engineering sector.
Tom’s speech reminded me of when I attended a think tank last year organised by Oxfordshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). During the event it hit me how engineering is neglected as a subject in primary and secondary education. While we talk a lot about STEM (science, technology, ENGINEERING and mathematics), engineering as a standalone GCSE subject remains conspicuously absent from the curriculum. How are young minds supposed to discover and understand engineering if it’s not introduced to them formally at school?
In judging the APPRENTICE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR award, this knowledge was in the back of my mind. The nominations were strong, with a special shout out to runners up Fiddes Paynes who impressed with the belief that it’s important to treat apprentices as equals with the rest of the employed team.
I was delighted by The APPRENTICE EMPLOYER OF 2024 winners, Norbar Torque Tools. Norbar nudged ahead because of their approach, especially given the educational challenges mentioned.
Norbar go above and beyond to make engineering accessible and understandable, not just to apprentices but also to their parents and guardians. By putting themselves in their audience’s shoes, they’ve made information clear and approachable, breaking down barriers to entry in the engineering field. Their proactive outreach in schools, aiming to shed light on what engineering is truly about, exemplifies their commitment to inclusivity and education. Norbar’s efforts are precisely what we need to bridge the educational gap and ensure that engineering is seen as an exciting and viable path for young people. The evening not only recognised all the outstanding apprentices and companies like Norbar and APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR, Jasmine Piper, for their exceptional contributions but also serves as a critical reminder of the importance of changing perceptions about the engineering sector.