THREE SGS Berkeley Green UTC students recently completed work experience at the Cheltenham Facility of GE Aviation. 

Ben, Rowan and Daniel, despite the restrictions of lockdown, still managed to achieve over 80 hours of virtual work experience with GE. 

The Year 13 students gained invaluable industry experience whilst developing key professional skills ready for their future careers. 

"Credit is due to both the UTC students and the team at Cheltenham for their flexibility and ability to quickly adapt from a previously planned in person work experience to a fully engaging virtual work experience delivered over Microsoft Teams," said Jennie Peirce of the UTC. 

"Every week students have been working on a brief set by GE, to design a circuit using a Raspberry Pi (pictured here). 

"Our students not only learnt technical coding skills, but they also had presentations delivered by GE employees on key employment topics.  Topics included CV writing, presentation skills, using LinkedIn, stress management and apprenticeships."

Rowan Ainsbury, who took part in the project said: “I learnt new skills and met lots of people who are passionate about what they do.

"I learnt lots about what it is like to be in an engineering role and how different engineering processes work at a big organisation.

"It was helpful learning how my academic studies could be bought to life in a career in STEM.”

Since completing the virtual work experience Rowan Ainsbury has now been offered an Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with GE Aviation, based at Cheltenham.

Eleanor Beckett, who coordinated the scheme at GE said: “I’m really happy that we were able to continue the virtual work experience program despite the challenges Covid-19 brought.

"Now the students have completed the scheme, they not only have a gold industrial cadet award, but they have also been able to work on important employability and technical skills that will be invaluable to them in the world of work.

"The students were all enthusiastic and invested in the scheme from the start and we wish them all the best of luck in their futures.”

Jennie Peirce of the UTC added: "The UTC wishes to publically say thank you to GE Aviation at Cheltenham for its time and effort in the scheme. 

"After the success of the first virtual work experience, we already have four eager new students starting their journey with GE.

"The UTC is looking forward to seeing their growth through this innovative experience."

The UTC is still accepting applications in September 2021 for entry into year 10 and 12. For more information, visit https://academytrust.sgscol.ac.uk/sgs-berkeley-green-utc or email office@berkeleygreenutc.org.uk