The Saturday Clubs held at Havering College and CEME are helping to fuel the ambitions of 14 and 15-year-olds after their potential was spotted by their secondary school teachers.

The project is part funded by CEME’s Gateway to Skills – an education project based at CEME in Marsh Way, Rainham, and is one of a number of outreach programmes aimed at improving the awareness and the take up of engineering and technology career pathways.

Saturday Clubs held at Havering College

The latest group of Saturday Club 2009  teenage ‘graduates’ were presented with certificates and toolkits at an open day for their families, teachers and head teachers at Havering College.

A total of 24 young people – nominated for the 20-week programme by secondary schools in Havering and Barking and Dagenham – showcased their achievements in metalwork, electronic and motor vehicle maintenance.

A similar celebration took place at CEME recently.

During the courses the pupils – this year all boys – have produced a metal toolbox, windscreen scraper, screwdriver, and robot. They have learned how to carry out basic car maintenance and had the opportunity to race remote control cars.

CEME Programmes Development Manager Debbie Wren said: “The Saturday Club provides young people with the opportunity to do sheet metal work, electrical work, motor vehicle maintenance and lathe work. It gives them more ideas about career options and where they want to go on leaving school.”

Colin Seabrook, area head for Electrical, Electronic and Motor Vehicle Engineering, at Havering College, is responsible for delivering the Saturday Club in Hornchurch.

He said: “Some parents are amazed they can get their sons and daughters up on a Saturday morning. But they really look forward to coming into college and for our staff it is a pleasure to be delivering this course. I would like to thank our principal, Noel Otley, for financially supporting this for the last few years.

Saturday Club member Lee Undrill, 14, who attends Albany School and lives in Rush Green, said: “It has been fantastic and I have learned a lot.”

His mother Helen said: “Lee has absolutely loved coming to the Saturday Club. I cannot praise this project highly enough.” It has given him a chance to do something totally practical. I am really impressed at what he has been able to make.”

Ed Pearson, 16, a pupil at Hall Mead School in Upminster, has been offered a place on the BTEC Level 2 motorsport engineering course at Thames Gateway College after coming to the Saturday Club.
He said: “It’s been great and has helped me a lot.”

Fifteen-year-old Shaquille Pierre, from Rainham, has now set his sights on a career in aeronautical or nautical engineering.

Royal Liberty School pupil Ryan Leader, 15, said: “I have learned from the college teachers. It has given me more confidence and a real insight into engineering.”