President to visit apprentice schemes in the Eastern Region

Mark Hunt, President of the Institution, will visit apprentice schemes in Norfolk and Cambridge, and join keynote speaker Professor Helen Atkinson and members, at the Annual Dinner on 19 September.

University Technical College Norfolk (UTCN) opens for the first time in September 2014. Its principal, Alex Hayes, who will welcome Mark to UTCN said: “Our goal is simple. We will provide students with the skills and qualifications to either go on to university, or to take up skilled employment at 18. To achieve this, we will offer a rigorous package of academic study, practical skill development and contextual challenges.”

At his first visit of the day, Mark is due to address UTCN’s new apprentices and to present a gift, on behalf of the Institution, to the college. He will tour the site and also spend lunchtime on the campus, before travelling to Cambridge Regional College.

Mark will be joined during the day’s meetings, presentations and tours, by Sylvain Jamais CEng FIMechE MCMI, Chairman of the Eastern Region; and will be accompanied by Lara Mallett, Business Development Manager Eastern Region and Paul Tabern, Business Development Manager UK EngTech.

Lara Mallett explained why the development of apprentices at UTCN and Cambridge Regional College are among the focus of Mark’s regional visit: “The Institution’s representatives are delighted to be undertaking this visit."

"The work undertaken by both of these training establishments is essential, especially when we hear reports such as from  Engineering UK (The State of Engineering 2014) that the current annual supply of individuals going into new engineering jobs (technician and graduate roles) is 51,000 when we actually need 87,000 for the next ten years. We are looking forward to seeing how UTCN and Cambridge Regional College are developing this generation for future careers in engineering,” Lara said. 

Sylvain Jamais added: “It is always a pleasure and a privilege for the regional chairman to guide the president in his visit of a region. This year we focus on the very topical engineering skills shortage and specifically on bolstering engineering apprenticeship as a pathway to engineering careers. The opening of UTCN and the recently inaugurated £3M engineering facilities at CRC are shining examples of great steps taken in the right direction within the region.”

During the afternoon, at Cambridge Regional College, Mark will meet staff and students, and view the college’s new engineering facilities; he will also present the principal with a gift.

In the evening, Sylvain will welcome Mark to the Eastern Region Annual Dinner, held in the historic Main Hall of Jesus College, Cambridge. Mark is due to address the guests, and will also welcome the chance, during a drinks reception, to meet and mingle with the assembled members.

He will be joined by the keynote speaker, Professor Helen Atkinson CBE FIMechE, Head of Department of Engineering, University of Leicester. Professor Atkinson (pictured), who was awarded the CBE in the 2014 New Year's honours list for services to engineering and education, will speak about the engineering skills gap.

Book your place at the Eastern Region Annual Dinner.