Annette with apprentices and MPs launching the rockets at the event in Parliament
Apprentices from the aerospace industry took part in a rocket launching competition last week (6 November) next to the House of Commons.
MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Annette Brooke, joined with apprentices and 25 other MPs to celebrate the launch of the 2014 UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry challenge, (UKAYRoC) which sees teams of students aged 11-18 years old design, build and launch their own rockets to exacting specifications.
The event coincided with Tomorrow’s Engineers Week – a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) initiative to showcase the many exciting engineering careers options available to young people.
Annette Brooke MP commented: “The event offered a fantastic opportunity to meet with some of the bright, ambitious young people that are just starting their engineering careers. The Rocketry Challenge is a brilliant way to show more students in the area what fun engineering really is, and I am keen to encourage as many schools and colleges from Mid Dorset and North Poole to enter the 2014 challenge.”
Speaking at the event, Paul Everitt, chief executive of aerospace trade organisation, ADS Group commented: “The Rocketry Challenge is a unique initiative to ignite enthusiasm for our sectors. We believe the challenge has an important role to play in galvanising more young people to take up careers in the aerospace sector, ultimately helping the UK take advantage of the significant growth opportunities available as air travel continues to increase.”
Apprentices from Airbus, Astrium, Axis Electronics, Cobham, GE Aviation, GKN, Marshall Aerospace and Defence, MEP, Raytheon UK, RLC Engineering, Selex ES and UTC Aerospace Systems were on hand on the day to support their MP team leader in the successful launch of the rocket.
Schools can find out more about the Challenge at www.ukayroc.org.
