The Royal Navy welcomed over 80 UTC students and staff at their annual UTC Residential Visit Weeks held in early October. In a packed four day programme, students spent time at HMS Collingwood and HMS Sultan, the Royal Navy’s Engineering Training Establishments, learning about the variety of roles for engineers in the Royal Navy. In addition to carrying out practical engineering tasks and completing leadership and team building activities, they also managed to squeeze in a visit to the Type 23 Frigate HMS Westminster whilst on a tour of Her Majesty’s Naval Base, Portsmouth.
HMS Sultan Visit Liaison Officer Lt Dan Hobin said:
The UTC visits provide an invaluable opportunity for HMS Sultan to inspire the engineers of the future. The students were able to engage with Royal Navy engineers not much older than they are and who are currently completing their Phase 2 (technical) training. They gained a practical understanding of engineering principles in an authentic training environment and I hope this has helped to ignite their enthusiasm to pursue a career as an engineer.
Derby UTC student Leah O’Donnell said:
Everything has been so new to me. We’ve learned how to take a pump apart and put it back together, fix a V12 diesel engine and this morning we took a wheel off a helicopter and put a tail rotor blade on. I also had the opportunity to try on some sea survival equipment. The hands-on stuff has been really good, especially learning to put everything back together. I never would have thought I’d have been able to do any of this.
The students taking part came from five different Royal Navy affiliated UTCs and all will be looking to enter teams into the Royal Navy Engineering Challenge 2018. The Challenge, which will be hosted by HMS Sultan on the 21 March 2018, is a design and build competition aimed at both Key Stage 4 and 5 students with an additional group made up from those currently on a recognised apprentice scheme.
Scarborough UTC student Calista Allen said:
I was really surprised to hear about all the different things that the Navy do and I am really looking forward to coming back for the engineering challenge next year.
Paul Smith, Engineering Teacher at Derby Manufacturing UTC said:
This was my first time on a residential course with the Royal Navy and we had such a fantastic time. We were made to feel very welcome and the visit programme went beyond my expectations. The kids loved it even though they were up at 6.30am and didn’t finish until 9pm. They all enjoyed themselves immensely and I can’t wait for the next trip.
For more information about Derby Manufacturing UTC, please visit: www.derbymanufacturingutc.co.uk
For more information about Scarborough UTC, please visit: www.scarboroughutc.co.uk
