Students visit HMS Sultan for learning experience
STUDENTS from Southampton City College and Fareham College’s Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST) visited HMS Sultan as part of a recent educational trip; which involved learning about the Marine Engineering Industry and a career in the Royal Navy.
A total of twenty students undertaking Marine Engineering courses spent the day engaged in technical activities, within the Marine Engineering Technical Group at HMS Sultan, as part of a government initiative aimed at supporting the development of college training to meet the requirements of local industries. In addition, the students got to learn about life in the Royal Navy, engaging with presentations and discussions from the RN Recruitment and Apprenticeships teams.
CEMAST Engineering Lecturer, Douglas Roberts, stated: “What we’re trying to do at CEMAST is get students interested in the major industries within engineering, whether it’s the RFA, RN, commercial or the leisure industry. Although we have some equipment ourselves, we have nothing on this scale and this visit allows our students to get some ideas about the routes into employment.”
He continued: “Marine engineering is a fantastic industry as it has so many different disciplines. These guys are working now on diesel engines, but they could be working on a car, lorry, or a smaller boat, go into larger industries with gas turbines, or they could look at aeronautical engineering with auxiliary and oil pumps, so it just gives them a broad spectrum of skills.”
Southampton College student Ollie said: “I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been a good day. I’ve preferred the mechanical bit, over the electrical as It’s something which I was more familiar with from college, but all of it’s been helpful. We are used to taking things apart and putting them back together, but it’s really good to look more closely and go into much more detail.”
“I didn’t realise how much travel that engineers do in the Navy. Lots of my family are in the Navy. My brother is serving as a Marine Engineer and It’s something that I’d like to do once I finish my training.”
Marine Engineering Training Group’s Training Planner, Lieutenant Craig Sutton, said: “The visit provided an opportunity for students from both colleges to engage in technical based activities and gain an understanding of the Marine Engineering Industry, to support their development through college and for onwards employment within engineering industries.”
“The visit has been positively received. Hopefully, it will lead to further collaboration between Sultan and the Colleges.”
PICTURED BY HMS SULTAN: Students from CEMAST discover more about Marine Engineering at HMS Sultan during a recent learning experience.
