On the 25th of June, after spending a total of 220 hours outside of school learning to think like engineers, Cohort 2 of the Engineering Academy graduated! Over the past 3 years, the students (aged 15 - 18 years old) have been immersed in engineering design challenges, career coaching, and university-readiness workshops to develop engineering habits of mind, strengthen their engineering identity, and foster the agency required to equip them with the skills needed to pursue an engineering career.
“From first seeing them during a session in May 2023 at Staffordshire University through to their final year presentations at GE Vernova, it has been amazing to watch them grow as individuals and increase their knowledge and application of engineering principles.” - Paul Dyer, Next Engineers Programme Lead
"I am so, so pleased that our cohort really put that extra effort in, from the very first session that Saturday morning, to bond with each other...now they are all friends and could be for many more years to come I hope! They have all come through the Next Engineers experience together and that is something very unique that may never happen again, so I am sure they will look back on their time here with fondness!" - Carl Cockram, Lead Facilitator
The students who complete the Engineering Academy and go on to enrol in a postsecondary engineering degree programme or engineering apprenticeship will receive a partial scholarship. The purpose of the Engineering Academy is to deepen students' awareness of and solidify their interest in engineering through participation in open, authentic, and extended design challenges; investigation of engineering as a viable career path via college and career readiness activities; and meaningful interactions with professional engineers. These positive experiences will feed their motivation to actively pursue engineering as a career.
“Being a part of the Academy has made me realise how many different fields of engineering there really are. This caused me to expand my view farther afield from Automotive engineering to Aerospace to try to work in the Aerodynamics department of a motorsport team.” - Harrison P., Student
“The biggest lesson I’ve learnt from being part of the Academy is how to approach problems in a more holistic and thoughtful way. Before, I used to jump straight into solutions, but through the different challenges, I’ve learnt to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I now think more about potential questions or issues that could come up, and I adjust my plan or design accordingly. It’s taught me the value of planning ahead, considering different perspectives, and being flexible when things don’t go exactly as expected.” - Hayk M., Student
Participation in design challenges serves to instill a set of engineering habits of mind in students. Developing and practicing these habits of mind help to inculcate a firm engineering identity in students, recognised as a key attribute for students deciding to actively pursue engineering and possessing the necessary resilience to persevere in these studies.
“The programme really educated me on the different fields of engineering. Before, I was only aware of Mechanical and Civil Engineering. I also didn’t know what it means to be an engineer. However, this programme really gave me a better picture of how they think and what they do.” - Jordy L., Student
“It has helped to affirm my belief that engineering is the career path for me. I found out that there is no set journey to become an engineer, but a variety of different paths that can be taken to reach that goal. Without this course I wouldn't have realised how beneficial apprenticeships really are and never would have considered it being a career path for me.” - Sanuda K., Student
Through active exploration of the engineering environment and preparation and planning for the transition to postsecondary education, the Engineering Academy aims to contribute positively to the generation of student agency (their ability and willingness to take an active role in shaping their future rather than being solely influenced by their circumstances), and their decision to pursue engineering as a career.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned at the Academy is how important it is to embrace problem-solving and persistence. Whether it was figuring out how to make something work in a project or overcoming challenges with teammates, I realised that setbacks are just part of the process. What matters is how you approach them - staying patient, thinking creatively, and learning from mistakes. That mindset has made me feel way more confident about tackling challenges in the future, both in my studies and career.” - Seon S., Student
“I've worked alongside passionate peers, making new friends and mentors who inspire and push me to think critically and innovate. Through this process, I've developed a deeper understanding of engineering principles and honed my ability to apply them to real-world scenarios. My time at Next Engineers: Engineering Academy has not only reinforced my passion for engineering but also prepared me for future endeavours in this exciting field.” - Yakshana G., Student
Over the past three years, we have been blown away by the students' unrelenting creativity and dedication - and once again, we believe that we can safely say - the future of engineering is in very safe hands!
We wish all of our graduates the very best of luck as they enter their new chapters, whether that is at university, apprenticeships or employment.
