Scarborough Science and Engineering Week enters 13th year

There will be more than 30 local and national exhibitors

Author: Karen LiuPublished 11th Oct 2022

Scarborough's Science and Engineering Week is in its 13th year and the free event kicks off today to help increase the area's skills base.

It takes at Scarborough Spa until Thursday 13th October and will be attended by approximately 2,750 people.

There will be more than 30 local and national exhibitors with an open session for families or for people wishing to change careers today (Tuesday 11th) 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

This year's event will include The Engineering for Life show for primary school pupils, a demonstration of how engineering is used in everyday life.

There is a shortfall of 55,000 skilled engineering professionals per year, according to Engineering UK.

Organisers say the headline sponsor is mining company Anglo American. The York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Careers and Enterprise Company are again leading supporters.

Science and Engineering Week is run by the Scarborough Business Ambassadors and has attracted more than 37,000 students.

Oli de Botton, chief executive of the Careers and Enterprise Company, will be speaking.

Also speaking will be Woodall Nicholson chief Frank Barrett of WNVTech, leaders in forward-thinking vehicle technology, electrification and accessibility.

The company is currently building small buses and ambulances at its Scarborough factory, having rapidly expanded operations this year.

Helen Simpson, who chairs the York and North Yorkshire LEP, said: “Whenever we engage businesses they reiterate the importance of skills and young people leaving education ready for work.

“Scarborough Science and Engineering Week is a leading event in our calendar to provide the very best business-led careers advice to inspire the next generation.”

Matt Parsons, General Manager External Affairs at Anglo American, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be a long-standing sponsor and supporter of Scarborough Science and Engineering Week.

“It’s very important to us to inspire young people and show the huge range of exciting apprenticeship and career opportunities available to them in this area.

“Hopefully we can inspire some of them to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

North Yorkshire County Council is again providing all the extensive transport required for the schools and colleges to take part. Scarborough Borough Council is providing the Spa as the venue again, at basic cost.

Jo Thompson, who chairs the Scarborough Business Ambassadors, said: “We would like to give a big thank you all the brilliant sponsors, exhibitors and supporters of this event which is so important for our growth and prosperity.

“There are now people enjoying great careers in engineering and STEM subjects because they were inspired by attending the exhibitions as youngsters. That’s the reason that the event was created.

“So we are very proud that we have helped so many of the area’s young people to see the range of practical opportunities available to them and which are desperately-needed locally and throughout the country.”

Organisers say the celebration is again actively supported by the team of North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership (NYBEP).

A number of awards will be presented, including a memorial trophy in honour of Vaugn (CORRECT) Bulmer, head of coach engineering at Plaxton, where the first engineering week event was held.

A dinner on the Wednesday from 6pm (October 12) is open to any type of business. For tickets at £50, please contact events@nybep.org.uk using the subject header SSEW2022.

Exhibitors include:

Anglo American, York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Unison, McCain Foods, Deep Sea Electronics, Royal Navy, Castle Group, Flamingo Land, NHS, Alexander Dennis, Scarborough UTC, STEM Ambassador, Amazelabs, Test Card, Derwent Training, Physics Outreach University of York, CU Scarborough University, IET, Scarborough Museums Trust, Scarborough Sixth Form, Heritage Adventures, Dale Power, Beyond Housing, Creative Arc.

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