Year 11 Construction students had the opportunity to experience Emerging Technologies in the Industry during a recent visit to CITB: The Construction Industry Training Board. Pupils were given a presentation detailing how new and emerging technologies are being introduced to the construction industry before getting a chance to try the new technologies out for themselves. Pupils experienced a virtual reality health and safety training through the use of VR head and handsets. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

Cahan and Kievan, two of our Year 13 Engineering students working on the wing section of their plane at the ‘Build a Plane’ event held at the Ulster Aviation Society. The Build a Plane Northern Ireland project plans to enable hundreds of young people in NI to develop their STEM skills. 

These programmes have an excellent long-term impact on the skills of future engineers and pilots, as they capture the imagination of young people through connecting them to career opportunities with leading companies like Boeing. 

Due to be completed in 2021, the Sherwood Scout, a two-seater, high wing monoplane, which has a tubular framework with the wings covered in a specially treated fabric is being built by young people from shared education partnerships across Northern Ireland under the guidance of members of Ulster Aviation Society.

Year 13 Engineering pupils gained an insight into industry during a visit to Denroy Plastic Manufacturers in Bangor. During this visit pupils viewed how processes such as injection moulding are used to manufacture everyday objects such as hair combs and brushes. Pupils were also shown the processes and outcomes that result in the manufacture of airplane pieces, all manufactured at Denroy Plastics.