Would-be engineers from schools and colleges across the county visited the British Festival of Engineering and Manufacturing in Bridgwater this month.

The pioneering two-day event took place at M-CNC on Bridgwater Business Park, during which time approximately 400 young people and their teachers were able to learn about the many careers in the sectors. Employers such as DMG Mori UK (who were also the main sponsors), Thatchers Cider, the Royal Navy, Hexagon, and M.A. Ford demonstrated the latest technologies; with XYZ Machine Tools sponsoring the STEM activities from ‘My Future My Choice’. Simple experiments enabled the students to try engineering principles out for themselves, whilst racing cars and hoverboards on display outside gave them further examples of the ways in which British Engineering is applied to many industries. 

The event was the brainchild of M-CNC’s Business Development Manager, Leigh Howarth, who said: “the goal of the British Festival of Engineering and Manufacturing was to signpost the multiple career paths within an industry of innovation and creativity that is literally ‘engineering new horizons’. The UK has a long and proud tradition of engineering and manufacturing, much of which takes place here in Bridgwater, and we wanted to inspire a new breed of engineer who will continue to pioneer and champion the UK’s undisputed heritage of manufacturing excellence. Judging by the way in which the students have reacted over the two days, I think we have achieved our goal.”