Institution news
Hosted at Ford Technical Centre at Dunton, the forum for Industrial Liaison Officers (ILOs) and Institution contacts in companies across South East and Eastern Regions was devised by Institution Business Development Manager Lara Mallett and Senior Business Development Manager, Claire Maycock.
There were 30 attendees, including representatives from the Institution, four universities and a variety of engineering industry sectors, from aerospace and automotive to energy, transport and defence.
Attendees were welcomed by Andrew Fraser CEng FIMechE, Manager, Gasoline Powertrain Calibration at Ford and Chair of the IMechE Automobile Division Essex Centre (ADEC). Those keen to see more of the Ford facility were invited on a tour, led by Sam Harris, a turbocharging engineer and former IMechE Apprentice of the Year runner-up. Sam also gave a presentation on degree apprenticeships, having recently completed this route at Ford, gaining his BEng with first-class honours.
In just four hours – which included lunch, the tour and opportunities to network – the forum included five short presentations, which signposted key information on topics such as IMechE training and development, research into the characteristics of female engineers and the role of MPDS administrators. These provided an excellent starting point for attendees to follow up with questions and further discussion.
There was scope to share ideas across the forum and to put questions to senior Institution representatives, who included Peter Finegold, Head of Education and Skills, Research & Policy and Andrew Bailey, Client Development Director, IMechE, as well as Professor Angela Dean of the University of Derby, a leading provider of engineering qualifications delivered via the apprenticeship levy.
Andrew Fraser said the event complemented the work towards professional development carried out at Ford.
“Ford is keen to encourage engineers to develop to their greatest capability in a variety of ways. This can mean ongoing learning and industry networking through the many knowledge transfer opportunities offered by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. We are very pleased with the support we receive from the Eastern Region Business Development Manager, Lara Mallett, and from her colleagues at HQ, such as with membership training days, and events such as the recent local area apprenticeship and skills networking forum.”
Lara explained the benefits of the day’s sessions, as well as what the next steps will be,
“This was a great opportunity to touch base with our mentor volunteers, strengthening contact between us. Our topics prompted lots of further discussion and questions – particularly around putting the apprenticeship levy to good use.”
She added, “With presentations from those who have first-hand experience of the degree apprenticeship and rolling out apprenticeship training, we have been able to respond to contacts on specific areas where they require help and advice. People left the forum with action points to pursue back at work.”
Geoff Evans CEng FIMechE, who attended from BP, said that the event delivered more than he had expected, adding, “I certainly learned a lot more about degree apprenticeships.”
Simon Wagstaff CEng MIMechE of MBDA also thanked the organisers and hosts for the many themes included in the day,
“The presentations from Sam Harris and Angela Dean were especially useful, answering many of my questions about the graduate apprentice scheme. The tour was also very interesting and informative.”
Claire concluded, “This forum is the second of its kind that we have jointly hosted for our regions and we’re planning to continue next year, moving on to new topics. Meanwhile, we will be visiting many of those who attended, to continue the discussions and develop the themes prompted by our Ford event.”
Find out more about training and development with the Institution, or contact the Business Development Manager for your Region.