Siemens Mobility and partners have celebrated the work of primary school children in the Goole area under a programme designed to open their eyes to exciting future careers in engineering and held a celebration event in Goole where the schools presented their rail projects to a judging panel.
In partnership with Primary Engineer and the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Siemens Mobility has supported the Primary Engineer Rail Project across 13 primary schools in the Goole area.
BEIS Construction Minister Lee Rowley said: “This government is keen to see more take-up and teaching of STEM subjects for all our children, which will be vital in empowering young people with the skills they need to secure good quality jobs and build our country for the next generation.
“That’s why I’m proud to be backing schemes like Primary Engineer, working with local schools and businesses to inspire children to become East Yorkshire’s next generation of engineers.”
Sambit Banerjee, Managing Director Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock and Customer Services UKI said: “It is fantastic to see the enthusiasm from the school children and the Primary Engineer programme has been vital in helping open their eyes to a career in engineering. They could be our future colleagues at Siemens Mobility in Goole, building tube trains and commuter trains for the British public. Through building the rail village, we are committed to leaving a lasting legacy in Goole, driving skills throughout the region to create a Centre of Excellence for rail technology for the UK and beyond.”
Nathalie Cachet-Gaujard, Head of Partnerships for the North of England for Primary Engineer, said: “It’s so important for children to understand the opportunities available to them in engineering from a young age.
“Primary Engineer is all about planting that seed in their minds and inspiring the future talent pool, and that’s what we’ve done through this partnership. These children have learned so much through being involved and I’m sure some of them will pursue careers as engineers in the future as a result. The pupils’ work we’ve seen has been really inspiring.”
Nathalie Cachet-Gaujard, Head of Partnerships for the North of England for Primary Engineer, said: “It’s so important for children to understand the opportunities available to them in engineering from a young age.
“Primary Engineer is all about planting that seed in their minds and inspiring the future talent pool, and that’s what we’ve done through this partnership.
“These children have learned so much through being involved and I’m sure some of them will pursue careers as engineers in the future as a result. The pupils’ work we’ve seen has been really inspiring.”
Siemens Mobility and BEIS jointly came on board as funding partners for the Primary Engineer Rail Project, connecting industry professionals with schools across the Goole area and introducing them to future opportunities with STEM.
The Primary Engineer programme is designed to ignite interest and curiosity in engineering among children from a young age. It aims to bridge the gap between education and industry by engaging pupils with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects through practical engineering-based project work.
STEM Ambassadors from Siemens Mobility, which is developing a rail village in Goole, have been supporting hundreds of pupils from the ages of four to 11 with rail-themed engineering projects and concepts such as design, problem-solving and testing and evaluation. The ambassadors have also provided teachers at the schools with assistance to deliver other engineering-based projects.
The Primary Engineer Rail Projects from schools involved were put on display at a special celebratory event organised by Siemens Mobility and Primary Engineer at Goole’s Market Hall.
Representatives from Siemens Mobility, including a number of apprentices, judged the projects, with pupils winning individual and team awards. All of those who took part received certificates, with winners receiving medals and Primary Engineer caps and badges.
Finbarr Dowling, Director of Localisation for Siemens Mobility, told the children: “This is the first time Siemens Mobility has taken part in this project in Goole and it’s been a huge success. I’d like to congratulate each and every one of you, as you’re all winners.
“We’re building an incredible new rail facility here in Goole and we want people from the town and the surrounding area to work there. That could be any of you in the future, because you’re the next generation of engineers.
“Being an engineer is the best job in the world. If you become an engineer with Siemens Mobility, you could stay here in Goole or you could travel the globe. As an engineer, the world really is your oyster.”
Holme on Spalding Moor Primary School was among the schools took part in the programme and joined the celebratory event.
Design Technology Teacher Tracey Levitt said: “The children have absolutely loved taking part and have really engaged with the project work.
“They’ve flourished by working worked in teams and it’s helped open their eyes to the many opportunities available to them in engineering when they’re older.
“They’ve really enjoyed working directly with a Siemens Mobility engineer, which has definitely motivated and inspired them.”
Siemens Mobility is investing up to £200m in its facility at Goole, which is due to open in 2023 will create around 700 direct jobs, with a further 250 roles during the construction phase and an additional 1,700 indirect supply chain opportunities.
