Cyflwynwyd: Dydd Gwener 27th Ebrill 2012
Talented students from schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf have learned more about the career opportunities available to them in Science, Engineering and Maths thanks to GE Aviation Wales supported by the Building the Future Together project.
More than 50 girls, aged between 13 and 14, from five secondary schools including Aberdare Girls School, Porth County Community School, Tonypandy Community College, Ferndale Community School and St John Baptist High School took part in the GirlsGetSET event which was held at aircraft servicing facility, in Nantgarw.
A GE initiative, GirlsGetSET is part of the company’s wider education programme to encourage more girls to consider a career in Science, Engineering & Technology. The event was run by a team of volunteers from the company’s volunteering committee and the Women’s Network.
Across the two days, the students participated in a number of workshops which included using a catapult as a business simulation tool, teaching them the importance of business planning, drawing upon on their mathematical and team building skills. Other activities included, designing and creating an aeroplane wing which encouraged the pupils to think about engineering, design and financial planning.
The girls who took part in the workshops also got the chance to meet and hear from successful women at GE Aviation Wales who have chosen a career in science and engineering. The girls also had a tour of the site and enjoyed the opportunity of witnessing the testing of a reconditioned aircraft engine.
Tori James, Community Liaison Leader at GE Aviation Wales said: “The GirlsGetSET programme enables us to show young girls the fantastic opportunities available in engineering and allows us to dispel the stereotypical view that engineering is something just for boys. Through this initiative we have been able to show girls that a career in engineering is within their reach. The event was a great success and I am confident that it has helped to unlock the talent of future engineers.”
GE Aviation Wales specialises in the servicing of aircraft engines. Occupying over 1.2 million sq. ft. the site has two state-of-the-art engine test facilities and employs a highly skilled workforce of over 1,200 people, providing customer support for a range of global companies including Emirates, Continental, easyJet and British Airways.
Through working together many more opportunities are being made available to the young people of Rhondda Cynon Taf and are raising their aspirations towards a more positive future.
The £14million Building the Future Together project, which stretches over three years, is part financed by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government and aims to improve the life chances and career opportunities of many thousands of young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf.