Students explore becoming future tech talent at historic Hanslope Park
Nearly 200 students from across Milton Keynes attended a special event to find out how they could become apprentices of the future at Hanslope Park.
Our team from HMGCC joined Hanslope colleagues from FCDO Services and UK NACE at Bletchley Park, to hold a series of workshops – aimed at inspiring a love of science, technology and engineering (STEM).
The year 11 pupils, who hailed from six local schools and colleges, were also given a chance to find out about the apprenticeship opportunities Hanslope has to offer.
The event, which coincided with National Apprenticeships Week, also gave pupils an insight into Hanslope’s fascinating history, including its links to Alan Turing.
The HMGCC team guided the student visitors through some fun activities, including a model STEM car, which was the idea of Chris, one of our software engineers.
The flashing car ‘in a kit’ which can be linked to a computer to upload data, has been created as a one stop shop for multiple engineering and technology disciplines - with the aim of helping put even more fun into physics and electronics.
Chris said: “This is an incredibly positive exercise. Some students might be shy about approaching us. Some young people come over and say ‘we aren’t very good at engineering and science’. But they come and have a go and find out just how much they can do.”
HMGCC CEO George Williamson said: “I’m delighted so many students from across the Milton Keynes area came out to Bletchley Park to learn more from us about just how exciting and varied careers in STEM can be – as well as to take part in some of the fun tech-focused activities we had in store for them.
“We are really proud of our apprenticeship opportunities at HMGCC. Most of our ex-apprentices also stay to work for our organisation, so it really is testament to how life-changing taking on an apprenticeship can be.”
HMGCC offers fully funded government apprenticeships, with different entry levels depending on the programme.
Apprenticeships are offered in software development, IT, electronics, production engineering and electronics assembly. The schemes offer training to support the creation of one-off, cutting-edge products, the opportunity to learn from HMGCC experts and work in a hi-tech facility.
Apart from learning a profession, gaining real life work experience and earning money, there is a chance to gain a range of qualifications through pursuing apprenticeships.