Institution news
At the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and at QinetiQ, the President presented certificates in recognition of IMechE Approval of both organisations’ Engineering Apprenticeship schemes.
The President’s party included Claire Maycock, Institution Business Development Manager; Natassja Cooper, Institution Business Development Executive; Bob Walsh CEng FIMechE, Wessex Region Chairman; Robert Robinson-Collins CEng MIMechE of Dstl and Chairman of the Salisbury Area Committee; and John Jost CEng MIMechE, a Systems Engineer at QinetiQ and Wessex Region Treasurer.
The President held morning meetings with Jonathan Lyle, Chief Executive of Dstl, and a number of his colleagues, at Porton Down.
Members of the Institution party were briefed on the Platforms Systems Division and examples of Dstl’s programmes of work and high definition modelling capability.
After a visit to the engineering facility, and the opportunity to gain insights into the benefits of an apprenticeship at Dstl, Richard met apprentices and presented the Institution Approval Certificate for Dstl’s Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship scheme.
Robert Robinson-Collins said: “It was good to have the opportunity to build our relationship with an important partner institution, and showcase our Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme and the excellent work we do. Professor Folkson mentioned how impressed he was with the work that Dstl conducts and the enthusiasm of our apprentices, which he saw as a credit to the organisation. The accreditation of the scheme is an important milestone for us and recognition of our engineering apprentices.”
Arriving for the afternoon at QinetiQ, Boscombe Down, the party was welcomed by a number of senior engineering and aircraft maintenance executives, as well as those in key positions relating to the training curriculum.
The President enjoyed lunch in the Officers’ Mess, a tour of the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) Hangar, and met a number of past apprentices, before visiting the Apprenticeship School and presenting the Institution Approval Certificate for QinetiQ’s apprenticeship scheme.
That evening’s New Members and Fellows reception was held at the South Wiltshire University Technical College (UTC). The President was welcomed by its Principal, Gordon Aitken, who kindly gave Richard and the Institution representatives a tour of the UTC engineering facilities.
Wessex Region Chairman, Bob Walsh, welcomed the President and all attendees to the New Members Evening, and Richard spoke to those assembled about the importance of holding such events, in recognition of the achievements of members in pursuing their professional registration as Engineering Technicians, Incorporated and Chartered Engineers.
He then greeted, congratulated and presented certificates to six recently registered IEng members, seven EngTech members, 15 CEng members, and two elected CEng Fellows.
Wendy McCormick CEng MIMechE received her certificate from Richard. Wendy started out as an Engineering Analyst working on defence projects, designing and managing equipment for REME and Special Forces. In 2007 she began teaching REME Artificers. She is now the lead practitioner in Engineering at South Wiltshire UTC and is Treasurer of the Institution's Portsmouth Area Committee.
Wendy said: "Working towards professional registration as a Chartered Engineer has helped me develop throughout my career and I felt accomplished to have achieved CEng status. It was great to celebrate this at the presentation evening, to meet other engineers and Institution committee members. Getting together like this highlights the great range of opportunities and roles for people in our industry."
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