Engineering Excellence Worldwide
 
Focusing on the skills gap
Pictured Left to Right: Marc Brocklesby, Patrick Shepherd, David Boxall, Grant Anderson and Leo Geddes
As an engineering design company with a 40 year history of working in heavy industry around the world, K Home International (KHI) understands that more is required to address the widening skills gap in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, and are proud that their employees are taking time out to address these issues.Apprentices getting involvedGrant Anderson and Alex Bottomley currently engineering apprentices at KHI have recently become STEM Ambassadors with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The primary focus for a STEM Ambassador is to work within schools and education organisations to encourage enthusiasm and understanding of STEM subjects and raise awareness of careers related to them.Grant and Alex are both thrilled to be part of the STEM Ambassador programme, their time, which is voluntary, will be used to work within schools and introducing the world of engineering to the next generation. Examples of activities they may get involved with is providing career talks, supporting teachers with technical knowledge, judging competitions and supporting after school clubs.Patrick Shepherd currently finishing his final year of his apprenticeship, has been a STEM Ambassador for 12 months. Also known as a “Bloodhound Ambassador” he takes part in educational events around the UK, organised through STEMNET. His involvement is in the form of carrying out presentations and assisting with other activities that take place, such as Balloon-powered cars, K’nex rocket-car building and Driving Simulation on the Bloodhound Computer.Scarborough Engineering Week will be taking place later in the year and Patrick has a more active involvement with the Bloodhound team at this event. Here he will assist with the various activities for the school children (and other visitors that may visit), independently carry out presentations outlining the aims, targets and details about both the car and the project. Each presentation lasts on average 20 minutes, with the school children being rewarded for their questions with a go on the Driving Simulator.Out and aboutLeo Geddes, Civil and Structural Engineer and Marc Brocklesby Instrument Designer at KHI have represented the company at Middlesbrough College STEM Career Day. A KHI exhibition stand was set up in the communal area of the college and talks were held with students about careers in engineering, answering any questions and suggesting possible education options available to those interested in perusing a career in engineering.Leo was more than happy to help again at Middlesbrough College and assisted alongside a fellow STEM Ambassador with a class of engineering students with their end of year project. This project involved designing a theoretical office building. With Leo’s experience in civil and structural engineering he provided the students with the basic structural principles of building design. He prepared a package containing basic drawings and calculations for a generic building, delivered a 3 hour training session involving a 1 hour presentation explaining the basic methodology used for the design, and a 2 hour tutorial session with the students and answered any questions they had.Middlesbrough College STEM Advisory BoardDavid Boxall will be representing KHI at the STEM Advisory Board Meeting on Friday 13 March at Middlesbrough College. Middlesbrough College have invested £20 million in a new STEM Centre of Excellence, the grand opening will be this September. A STEM Advisory Board was assembled to ensure that the Centre meets the needs of local employers in shaping the future workforce of Teesside.