Burnley leads the way with engineers of the future

The Primary Engineer project aims to provide youngsters with key skills in maths, science and technology, whether they eventually choose a career in engineering or not.

In Burnley it is funded by Burnley Borough Council and AMS Neve and is supported by some of the leading cutting-edge engineering and aerospace companies through the Burnley Bondholders scheme.

Burnley was chosen to host the regional final of a competition to find the best budding engineers and designers of the future.

Fifty teams from 33 primary schools across the north west, including nine from Burnley, gathered at Unity College to battle it out.

Teams were awarded trophies based on two different levels of challenge, both based around designing and making a “vehicle” from basic materials. The higher level (engineer) involved including a powered drive.

Burnley winners included Cherry Fold Primary School, St John’s C of E Primary School in Cliviger and Reedley Primary School.

Burnley Council leader Mark Townsend, who helped present the trophies, said: “Primary Engineer is a perfect example of partnership working between the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

“It’s about supporting and building upon the aspirations of young people to ‘Make It in Burnley’ and tapping into their drive and imagination to inspire them to go out and be whatever and whoever they want to be. Hopefully we’ve seen some of the advanced designers and engineers of the future who will be helping Burnley’s world class engineering and aerospace firms develop in years to come.”