Highways England go back to school to inspire engineers of the future
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November 19, 2018
Highways England is building bridges to inspire the next generation of engineers through a variety of educational activities across the South West.
Ongoing and planned engagement with schools and colleges in Wiltshire, Somerset and Cornwall is helping to highlight numerous engineering opportunities within the highways industry and inspire young people to consider engineering as a rewarding career.
This week the company will be involved in a bridge-building exercise with pupils from a Somerset school. The team behind the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dualling scheme will visit Countess Gytha Primary School in Queen Camel on 23 November, helping Year Six pupils to design and build K’Nex bridges as well as giving the youngsters an insight into the design of the route and what animals have been found during survey work.
Hannah Sanderson, Project Manager for the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme, said: “Highways England is very focused on inspiring young people to consider engineering as a rewarding career. It should be a fun experience for the youngsters, and we’re really looking forward to taking our branch of engineering into the classroom.”
Responsible for improving, managing and maintaining England’s motorways and major A roads, the company is working with schools and colleges across the country as part of the Year of Engineering campaign.
By bringing young people face to face with engineering experiences and role models, the campaign aims to showcase the creativity and innovation of engineering careers and widen the pool of young people from all backgrounds who are willing to consider the profession.
As part of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Insights programme, Highways England also took part in a recent initiative with Wiltshire schools.
