Harwin establishes Academy for aspiring young engineers

This  new venture, which has been undertaken in partnership with Havant & South Downs College, has the objective of giving high quality training to students – thereby opening up career paths for them within the burgeoning STEM sector. The two-year course has been developed to ensure the content meets the needs of the engineering industry and prepares students for the workplace – bestowing them with a first-class, internationally recognised engineering qualification.

With the UK having to deal with an ever more acute skills shortage, there is a pressing need to encourage young people into engineering-based professions. Through enrolling with the Harwin Academy, students will get classroom-based tuition at the college campus, along with valuable practical experience at the Harwin production facility in Portsmouth.

At the Harwin site, they will learn about a variety of manufacturing techniques, whilst gaining hands-on proficiency in using the latest state-of-the-art equipment. They will also develop their project management skills and get a better appreciation of working as part of a team.  There will be the opportunity to apply for an advanced level apprenticeship with Harwin at the end of both years one and two of the course.

“Getting a good start is essential; from this, successful and rewarding careers can develop,” commented Harwin’s Operations Director Paul McGuiness. “Through the Harwin Academy, we hope to raise youngsters’ expectations, and give them the chance to live up to their full potential. This unique gateway course will give enrolled students a strong foundation in core engineering disciplines, learning directly from both respected academics and the most knowledgeable of industry experts.”

Initial students are already making their way through the varied and far-reaching course, with preparations underway for interviewing candidates for the next intake.