Cobham fuels students' interest in engineering
Following the countrywide success of National Women in Engineering Day last month, female pupils from two local Dorset Schools were invited to visit Cobham Mission Systems' world class engineering facility on 4th July to learn about career path options for Women in Engineering.
During the day, the group consisting of 13-16 years olds from Bournemouth School for Girls and Corfe Hills School were given a full tour of the Wimborne site, which is home to Cobham’s world-famous Air to Air refueling technology.
Six female engineers from across the business shared their individual career stories, highlighting the different ways in which they gained entry to the profession. The students were given the opportunity to see the products which the presenters were working on and they also received a walk through the shop floor and a live testing demonstration of Cobham’s Air to Air Refuelling equipment.
Claire Johnson (CEng) Development and Engineering Manager who led the day said: “We want to encourage more girls into the engineering sector by raising awareness about what engineers really do. The diversity of rewarding and exciting careers that an engineering qualification can open up is immense and it is essential that young would-be engineers are shown them.”
“Using maths and science we are able to design and develop innovative solutions which ultimately help to shape the future –a future which they could play an important part in engineering.”
Lisa Johnson from Corfe Hills School added “Our girls at Corfe Hills were inspired by the enthusiasm and ability of the staff at Cobham. In a historically male embedded industry it was great for them to have greater understanding of a career in engineering and be encouraged by strong, powerful females. It opened their eyes to the world of engineering, seeing the impact it has on their everyday lives and the opportunities of this career path."
Engineers at Cobham Mission Systems work in a wide range of engineering disciplines for the Defence Industry including mechanical, electrical, materials and software.
Engineering projects involve equipment for a range of high profile military aircraft including the Boeing KC-46, the F-35 Lightning II and Eurofighter.