Industry needs to help develop the skilled workforce for the future and working with EESW will contribute to this.

In addition to helping develop and focus young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, many companies have benefited from the outcomes from teams of bright young people working on real problems in the company. Solutions to live problems have often led to big savings.  

Our main industry-linked activity is the EESW Project, where a team of Year 12 students in a school is linked with a local company to work on a real engineering problem.  

EESW Project Company Information Video

Watch this video to find out more and sign up here

 

The link company provides:

• A suitable engineering problem
• An engineer as mentor for the team, and to attend the scheme launch, the workshop and the celebration event
• An opportunity for the students to see the problem in context by visiting the company premises
• A financial contribution towards the cost of each project link.

 

 

Each year we engage with a range of companies and organisations across Wales, including those from the aerospace, automotive, mechanical, electrical, medical and energy sectors.  

In 2023-24 we were grateful to work with the following companies and schools for the EESW Project:

  

Benefits to Companies

• Potential financial savings from successful project outcomes using innovative young minds.
• A raised profile in the community.
• Long term contact with high calibre students providing a potentially cost effective future graduate route.
• The opportunity to strengthen education industry links and enhance teachers' knowledge of engineering and technology.
• A general improvement in the quality of engineering students by encouraging enthusiasm at an early stage.
• Development of project management skills in young graduates, as well as experience which can be used towards CPD evidence

 

With the introduction of UK-SPEC 4, there has been further focus on D&I, and I believe that volunteering to increase the diversity of those wanting to become engineers is a great CPD activity. This scheme also allows engineers to support and manage the progress of others in a technical setting and will add to any application process.
In some companies, it is not immediately possible for opportunities to manage projects and communicate with various stakeholders, so exposure to this at any level can provide the correct foundations to then progress to larger projects and greater responsibilities.

Lydia Amarquaye CEng MIMechE

Professional Development & Education Policy Advisor, Institution Of Mechanical Engineers

 

Having been involved in EESW events for some 20 years and finding them stimulating and thought provoking, I find the evaluation of some of the students’ projects, which are often complex, requires examiners to research outside their comfort zones to achieve fair results.
These experiences will add to everyone's Continuing Professional Development and would be of great benefit to new and experienced engineers’ career development.

Phil Hourahine MBA, MSc. CEng. FIET.

Chair South Wales Institute of Engineers (Education Trust)2007

 

We also link with companies across Wales to provide Girls into STEM events throughout the academic year.  Females are often under-represented throughout the STEM sector in Wales and we hope that through arranging visits to companies and universities more females will be interested in following a STEM career path.  Visits include an insight to the organisation, as well as information on careers and a practical activity to engage pupils during the day.  

Links with education are very important, and the project has provided this. It’s also important for us to be contributing to the local community.

EESW STEM Cymru is committed to encouraging young people find their ideal STEM career.  If your company has any opportunities that you would like us to help promote, please email us.