Involvement in Flying Start Challenge presents a fantastic opportunity for companies to forge links with local schools.

This year the Challenge will reach around 20 schools from Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, and it is expanding year on year.

Having completed the challenge, twice as many students correctly identified sponsor companies and their business areas, and the number that said they would consider a career in engineering more than doubled.

The core aim of Flying Start Challenge is to raise awareness of engineering as a potential career for young people. It is aimed primarily at Year 9 students; the age where they will decide what subject options to take on to GCSE.

The Challenge gives students an opportunity to develop learn about engineering from practicing engineers, and the fact that these are young people themselves makes the experience that much more accessible.

At the finals day, hosted at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, guest speakers highlight the relevance and importance of engineering, whilst few can fail to be enthused about Concorde 002, housed in the museum’s main hall.

Flying Start Challenge is largely run by graduates from participating companies. At committee level, they are responsible for organising finals days, arranging for guest speakers and corporate VIPs, marketing and publicity, as well as the preparation of lesson material and liaising with prospective and participating schools.

Young engineers from participating companies are also responsible for delivery of the design lessons where they explain the physical principles of gliders and provide insight into the aerospace industry.

The Challenge’s sponsors recognise the opportunity it presents for their graduates to develop organisational, business and presentation skills in addition to the core engineering component.

Involvement in the committee also provides an opportunity to make contacts at other aerospace companies within the region and gain a greater understanding of how they operate.