Member Article

Youngsters ‘keep on trucking’ with enterprise competition

Youngsters demonstrated their passion for engineering and design last week at the conclusion of the Foundation of Light’s Business and Enterprise course.

Run by SAFC charity the Foundation of Light, with support from the Caterpillar Foundation, the 13 week programme introduces secondary school youngsters to key principles of business through the eyes of Premier League football club, Sunderland AFC.

Young people develop engineering, design, communication and leadership skills as they are tasked to improve fundamental parts of football strips, match day experiences and advertising. An exciting new element of the course is looking at the world of manufacturing and the young people have the opportunity to design new vehicles connected to this sector.

Teams from the six secondary schools taking part then presented their new vehicle ideas to a panel of judges, which included Caterpillar Peterlee Managing Director Phil Handley, and over 100 of their peers.

Amongst the innovations suggested by the youngsters were retinal scans to improve security, new safety measures for drivers, new ground breaking materials and ideas around a new fuel source.

Winners on the day were an all-girl team from Farringdon Community Academy whose ideas included changing the colour of the famous trucks to encourage more females to become interested and engaged in engineering.

The schools taking part were: Redhouse Academy, Consett Academy, Mortimer Community College, Thornhill School, St. Aidan’s Catholic Academy and Farringdon Community Academy.

Caterpillar Peterlee Managing Director Phil Handley comments, “The achievements of the youngsters taking part has been fantastic – from the creative ideas they have come up with, to the incredible confidence to stand in front of so many people and give their presentations – everyone has done so well.”

Foundation of Light Education Curriculum Lead Chris Hooker adds, “The Business and Enterprise course is a great way to get youngsters talking about the sport and manufacturing industries as they are both ingrained into the local area. This year will witness over 800 young people not only gain a qualification in the subject but gain many tangible skills connected to improved employability chances”

The Business and Enterprise programme is one of a range of educational projects running from the Foundation’s Centre of Light at the Caterpillar Peterlee site supported by the Caterpillar Foundation, helping improve education, health and employment in the surrounding area.

For further information about the range of programme available to schools visit schools.foundationoflight.co.uk or call 0191 551 5191.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Burman .