The Welsh Valleys Engineering Project (WVEP), a long-term project funded by the Welsh Government and the Panasonic Trust and delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering, celebrated five years of success at an event held in Wales on 7 July at which future plans were also outlined.
The event held in Redhouse—a magnificent Grade II* listed building in Merthyr Tydfil—showcased how schools and local businesses have worked together to develop and deliver in the classroom long-term, sustainable STEM challenges in line with the curriculum and employer needs. The event was also a celebration of the expansion of the WVEP to include all 54 schools in Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil and its ambitious plans to increase the involvement of local businesses still further.
Launched in 2018 with funding from the Panasonic Trust, the WVEP originally worked with 13 primary and secondary schools across Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil as well as Coleg Gwent and Merthyr College. The project inspires and encourages students to take up STEM subjects in post-16 education, enabling them to access engineering career pathways. It does this by enriching the curriculum, enhancing pupil engagement and, crucially, through work with local STEM employers, bringing real-world engineering practice into schools. Recent funding from the Tech Valleys Programme of the Welsh Government has allowed the scheme to draw on best practice from its employer engagement activities and expand the WVEP to all 54 schools in the region.
The number of companies working with WVEP through the employer engagement strand has successfully increased over the years and currently includes: Atkins; Concrete Canvas; Continental Teves; Future Valleys Construction; General Dynamics; JC Moulding; Morgan Sindall; Peter Evans ILG; National Digital Exploitation Centre; Nexperia; Panasonic; Safran Seats; Tata Steel; Thales; and Zimmer Biomet.
Speaking at the event, Dr Rhys Morgan, Director of Education and Engineering at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“Schools and the businesses who have participated in the Welsh Valleys Engineering Project over the past five years are fully aware of the many mutual advantages of doing so. And I’m pleased to say that word is spreading.
“It is absolutely clear that we need a greater number and diversity of young people to consider a career in engineering and this programme has hit upon a formula that manages not only to engage young people’s interest in STEM subjects but also ensure they will enter the workplace with an understanding of real-world challenges and with the appropriate skills to help address them. It’s a win-win scenario, and the Academy is hugely grateful to everyone who has participated and contributed to the success of the programme so far. We look forward to working with even more of you in the future.”
It is estimated that over the five years of the WVEP, it has delivered over 25,000 STEM learning opportunities, 500 hours of teacher CPD; and 1000 interactions between STEM Ambassadors, local employers and teachers. The programme has managed to encourage the participation of equal numbers of girls and boys, and over 50% of bursaries were awarded to female students in the 21/22 academic year.
Also speaking at the event were Dr Anita Shaw, WVEP Project Manager; Carl Pocknell, Chair of Panasonic Trust; Holly Lidbury, Thales/NDEC; staff and pupils of Deighton Primary School and Abertillery Learning Community. Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Economy appeared via a specially recorded video.
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:
“I’m delighted to celebrate the successes of the Welsh Valleys Engineering Project. This project is an integral part of the wider Tech Valleys Programme, one of our Programme for Government commitments, to enable the south Wales valleys to become a globally recognised centre for the development of new technologies and cutting-edge industry.
“By supporting initiatives such as the Welsh Valleys Engineering Project alongside the Panasonic Trust and the Royal Academy of Engineering, the ambition is to inspire and encourage more pupils to take up STEM subjects—subjects which lead to exciting STEM careers and are highly sought after by businesses locally and world-wide.
“It’s been great to see just how many of our strong, local companies have dedicated their time and enthusiasm to working with so many schools on real challenges. The fact that pupils have access to the knowledge and experience of professional engineers, gives them authentic real-life experiences and brings the world of work into the classroom. There isn’t a better way of seeing how engineering affects our lives, and how diverse the opportunities are for a career.”
Notes for editors
The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
The Panasonic Trust for the further education and training of engineers is a registered charity that was established on 30 October 1984. The objective of the Trust is to extend the education and training of industrial engineers in the fields of engineering such as electronic systems engineering, environmental studies, energy and new materials. This may be achieved by the establishment and award of grant scholarships, fellowships, lectureships, competitions, prizes and awards. The Panasonic Trust have been funding the Welsh Valleys Engineering Programme since its launch in 2018 and will continue to fund it, alongside the Welsh Government, allowing the Programme to continue the annual awarding of up to 20 Panasonic Trust Future Engineer bursaries to Post-16 students. These students will be instrumental in supporting the extension of the employer engagement strand.
The Tech Valleys programme is a ten-year, £100 million commitment by the Welsh Government with Blaenau Gwent at its heart. Building on the region’s long-standing manufacturing heritage, Tech Valleys aims to capitalise on the opportunities arising from the fourth industrial revolution – particularly in the areas of 5G, battery technology, digital and cyber research and application – supporting high value, sustainable jobs, attracting investment and creating opportunities for the region. In line with the Welsh Government’s Economic Action Plan, the Tech Valleys programme has the principles of growth, fair work and decarbonisation at its heart. For further information about Tech Valleys, email: [email protected]
Media enquiries to: Pippa Cox at the Royal Academy of Engineering Tel. +44 207 766 0745; email: [email protected]