YOUNG engineers were applauded at an awards ceremony aimed at inspiring new talent.

Barrow and District Association of Engineers presented bursaries and prizes to primary aged pupils at their awards ceremony.

The Engineering Association has presented bursary awards and engineering prizes to primary and secondary students for many years, recognising that inspiring young students from a young age can have a long-term impact on career choices.

BDAE member, Denis Lidstone, said: “There are many world class engineering companies in this area and we are very keen to support a pipeline of high-quality engineers. Year on year the Barrow and District Association of Engineers has increased its bursary awards to both students and schools, and we hope that this will inspire more and more young talent.”

The awards evening, hosted by Furness Education & Skills Partnership (FESP) took place at Furness College and was attended by around 100 students and family members along with local employers and school leaders.

A keynote speech was made by Dr Michael Jeschke, of Siemens Energy. Mike talked the audience through his own journey into engineering - from an interest in how things work at a young age, to his first steps into an engineering career, a PhD in Polymer Science and on to his current role as Materials Expert at Siemens Energy.

A second keynote speech was made by Leah Clough, a wind turbine technician at Orsted. Leah had the audience enthralled with her description of a day in her job. The students really enjoyed hearing about Leah’s journey to work on a boat, the safety clothes and harness Leah wears, how high up she works on the wind turbines and how she secured the job she really loves. Leah reassured the students by saying all the way through school she had no idea what she wanted to do as a career. She advised the children to look for jobs that in things that really interest them.

Ashton Barnard, of Victoria Academy, showed how the school has used their £500 prize money to extend their engineering provision by purchasing Data Bloggers. She explained the multiple uses of the data bloggers to support learning across the curriculum.

Presentations were made by both FESP and BDAE, showing routes into engineering and provision across the area to support the journey of students from as young as seven years old all the way to employment. Families could learn more about routes into engineering careers.

Furness Education and Skills Programme Manager, Caroline Vernon, said: “There are so many brilliant career options in Furness and world leading engineering opportunities. This event is a real celebration of early achievement and the children’s first taste of professional success. FESP is delighted to host the event on behalf of partners Barrow & District Association of Engineers.”

BDAE’s Anne Morris, presented children with individual bursaries and certificates recognising their engineering achievement so far and this very important first step on their journey to a potential engineering career.