Maritime Training and Careers Event at Seawork 2009
For the first time at the Seawork exhibition, students from local secondary schools were coached in to attend the very successful Maritime Training and Careers event in association with Solent Skill Quest Ltd and Portsmouth Education Business Partnership.
On Wednesday 17th June a selection of students from the following Southampton schools were brought to the exhibition: Redbridge Community School; Chamberlayne College for the Arts; Oasis Academy
On Thursday 18th June it was the turn of students from the following Portsmouth schools: Milton Cross School; Springfield School; King Richard Secondary School;
Priory School; Lord Wilson School; Mayfield School.
Students experienced a variety of activities at the show including: tours and trips on: HMS Blazer, which is the Royal Navy's fast patrol boat linked to Southampton & Portsmouth Universities and Port of London Authority's (PLA) new patrol launch Lambeth; rides in a fast RIB; tours of the exhibitions halls; as well as attending the seminars in the Maritime Training and Careers Pavilion.
Speakers at the Seminars included: Keith Longman (Berthon Boats); Ted Milley (Royal Institution of Navigation); Ian Palmer (Ship Safe Training Group); Steve Tubby (Marine East); along with a current apprentice at E-Tech, Southampton.
Gail Marsh, Turbo Dynamics, commented, "Two female students approached our stand and asked what we did, what turbochargers were used for and why they were used on engines. When I explained that turbos were environmentally friendly and fuel efficient, they were impressed and said, "Green is good." I was very impressed that two of the pupils had stopped and actually displayed a genuine interest in what we did. "
Christina Warwick, Head of Technology at Chamberlayne College for the Arts (CCA), Weston, commented, "This is the first experience of being on the water for many of our students, it has been a wonderful experience for them today, something that they will remember for the rest of their lives."
Joe Mullett, CCA student, said, "We were here to explore opportunities available in the Marine Industry, and we have seen a wide variety of boats out on the quayside." When asked what his favourite bit of the show was he replied enthusiastically, "Going out on HMS Blazer, I steered, it was fantastic!"
Jordan Spanswick, CCA student, admitted, " I have always had a career aspiration to join the Royal Navy and today I have learnt about the many possible opportunities available."
Erin Abul, CCA student, said, "My best subject is science and I enjoyed looking over all the engines in the boats and learning about how they are built. It was great to hear of the apprentice schemes on offer with many engineering companies."
Roe Penfold, Teacher with the Priory School, Portsmouth, commented, "We were invited by the Education Business Partnership to visit Seawork and were unsure what to expect. It has been a real eye opener for the students providing them with a vision of future lines of work and the routes open to them to take. Overall the students had a marvellous time and all thoroughly enjoyed their tour and trip out on HMS Blazer. Being ex Royal Navy myself, personally I was amazed at how diverse and large the Marine Industry has become."
Annie Keeping, Priory School, said:"It was interesting to see all the engines and lifboats etc. On HMS Blazer we got to see all around the boat and were shown how life works on-board. It was good to find out about apprenticeships in engineering work, we were provided with a lot of useful information at the seminars. It was great to be invited to attend this fascinating exhibition."
Philippa Kearney, Priory School, Portsmouth, "I found all the machines used to fix and maintain boats fascinating - good to see and be shown how things work. The information given about various apprenticeships was very useful."
To find out more go to http://www.seawork.com
Send this story to a colleague
