aspire... accelerate... achieve...

Burnley College became the second college in the North West to launch a Career Academy in engineering this Autumn with eight students studying a full time BTEC course, specialising in mechanical and electrical engineering.

The college held its first Partner in Business event with mentors from Rolls Royce PLC, Aircelle and Emerson and Renwick meeting their students for a fun packed ice-breaker with a competitive edge!! Teams fought against each other in various design and build tasks which really got the mentoring programme off on a firm footing.

David Arkwright, from Emerson and Renwick says:

‘As a long established engineering business, Emerson & Renwick have been associated with apprentice training schemes for many years. Whilst beneficial to all parties, this relationship relies upon the apprentice being selected and employed, before interaction begins. The Career Academy allows our business to interact with students at a more 'grass roots' level within the education system. This precipitates a level of first hand understanding by the students as to the expectations of employers, and allows us to have some influence and possibly impart some enthusiasm onto students for a career in engineering. Longer term benefits may arise for employers, as the students may be 'groomed' for employment following completion of their studies.’

One other benefit, particularly for small original equipment manufacturing companies such as Emerson & Renwick, is the interaction between the network of companies involved in a Career Academy, and the potential to forge new business relationships.

The North West also hosted it’s first Career Academy engineering internships this summer. Two students from Tameside College were offered the opportunity to undertake paid placements with Tameside Council Highways department and got an immense amount from the experience. Student Will Figg says:

‘I think the thing I enjoyed most about my internship was working with the more experienced engineers and consultants. I learnt such a lot from them and they were so friendly and willing to help. This has given me a real idea about what work really is, its not all lectures and coursework!