Overview

CMSL joined the RAF sidecar team at Eldon Square to bring engineering careers to life for local students. Around 50 students from Newcastle College and Gateshead College came along, all studying engineering, automotive or business and design.

The story

Students travelled from Newcastle College and Gateshead College to see the RAF sidecar up close. They also got the chance to hear what a career in engineering actually looks like.

Rob, Mark and Andy from the sidecar team led the day. CMSL’s Chris Halsall, Mark Craven and Brian Yong joined them, talking students through the sidecar itself and answering questions about routes into engineering.

Helen, Centre Director at Eldon Square, was on hand throughout. Chris Skinner, a teacher and a student from Gateshead College also helped bring the day to life on camera. CMSL’s site team called in across the day too, keeping an eye on how things were going.

It wasn’t just students who took an interest. Members of the public stopped to find out more about the sidecar, the RAF and what CMSL does. That made it a genuinely open day for anyone passing through the centre. The day also lent its support to Alzheimer’s Society, CMSL’s Charity of the Year.

Fast facts

• Location: Eldon Square, Newcastle
• Colleges attending: Newcastle College and Gateshead College
• Students: around 50, from engineering, automotive and business and design courses
• CMSL team: Josh Wiffen, Chris Halsall, Mark Craven, Brian Yong
• Sidecar team: Rob, Mark and Andy

What’s next

CMSL looks forward to more days like this. Getting in front of students and talking honestly about engineering careers is exactly the kind of work worth repeating.