Middlesbrough College tutors taught more than 200 Durham University students a thing or two thanks to a unique engineering programme.
More than 200 first and second year engineering students from the prestigious university spent a week gaining essential competencies on a range of activities at Middlesbrough College’s state-of-the-art STEM Centre.
The Professional Engineering Applications Course (PEAC) gives students the chance to undertake nine different activities – including fixing an engine, welding and working safely at height and in confined spaces.
There is also the opportunity to visit one of the large-scale engineering companies the College has strong links with, including Hitachi Rail, British Steel and Labman.
The innovative programme is designed to give students hands-on experience of the types of jobs they could do with their degrees – and encourage them to diversify their career choices.
Middlesbrough College itself offers a range of routes into engineering degrees, with learners getting hands-on experience at the £20m STEM Centre.
Darren Raby, skills development manager at Northern Skills Group, the apprenticeship and training arm of Middlesbrough College, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to give the students a chance to try out a range of activities at our facilities.
“Engineering is a very broad subject and this gives students a unique opportunity to try out some of the different careers open to them.”
Dr Grant Ingram, director of Education, Durham University Department of Engineering, said: “Durham University was delighted to select Middlesbrough College as the provider for our PEAC for 2018.
“The course enables Durham University undergraduate students to get hands on experience of engineering processes, procedures and techniques.
“This experience complements their analytical work in lecture theatres and laboratories on the Durham campus and it is an important part of their first year studies.
“The focus on providing industrially relevant learning spaces on-site was a particularly attractive feature of Middlesbrough College.”