A competition is underway in schools across the North-east of Scotland which aims to introduce engineering skills in an accessible and fun format whilst strengthening relationships between industry and education.
Duncan Abernethy, Head of Business and Community Development at North East Scotland College comments:
“The Technology Challenge aims to encourage young people to consider a career in engineering. Supported by industry, this year the competition is sponsored by Shell and Score Europe.
“Every second year pupil, from participating schools, competes to find the best girl and boy in class and then the best in the year. The winning boy and girl then go forward to represent their school at the grand finale to be held at our Fraserburgh campus on May 20th.
“The competition promotes the different and varied skills within an engineering career touching upon mechanical and electrical engineering, use of hand tools and of course, safety. It encourages young people to think about whether they would like to pursue an engineering related future. Despite the current economic challenges in the energy sector, there are still well documented shortages in the engineering sector more generally.”
The Technology Challenge is now in its thirteenth year and engages with over 1350 S2 pupils from eight schools - Banff, Fraserburgh, Gordon Schools - Huntly, Meldrum, Ellon, Mintlaw, Peterhead and Turriff.