A SCHEME designed to inspire more young people to pursue careers in engineering was launched on Teesside last week, with a call for employers to get involved.

Professor John Perkins, a former chief scientific advisor to the government who published his Review of Engineering Skills in 2013, visited Middlesbrough College to talk about the Primary Engineer programme.

The not-for-profit organisation trains teachers on how to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects interesting to school children at an early stage.

Prof Perkins toured the college’s £20m STEM Centre before meeting students and employers from the likes of Katmex, Sevcon and ElringKlinger.

He said: "Primary Engineer is a response to employers’ constant calls for more engineering skills, and provides the opportunity to get young people interested in well paid careers in engineering.

"We know that we really need to start early in engaging young people with science and maths. Their relationships with these subjects are shaped at the beginning of school – and can be influenced by a great teacher or a fun project.

"Engineering is a hugely creative discipline and I think we need to demonstrate that to the young people that it might interest."

At the event, co-organised by EEF the manufacturers’ association, Prof Perkins told students about his career and answered questions about the engineering sector and working within it.

Connor Darby, 21, from Boosbeck, is studying a Level 3 BTEC in mechanical engineering and is an apprentice at car parts manufacturer ElringKlinger.

He said: "I’m a production engineer and, together with someone else, I look after an area of the factory floor. It’s really interesting to hear from someone with such a varied career as Professor Perkins."

Taylor Shepherd, 18, from Ingleby Barwick, is nearly two years into a BTEC Mechanical Maintenance qualification at Middlesbrough College.

He said: "My ambition is to go into aerospace engineering. I’ve had a fascination with helicopters since I was young, and this course will prepare me to follow a route I’m interested in."

Primary Engineer already has 137 schools on board from around the North East, and last week held a training event with 23 schools from Teesside.

Susan Scurlock, the scheme’s founder and chief executive, said Primary Engineer will equip teachers to make STEM subjects engaging for their classes.

She said: "We help teachers to build these subjects into fun classroom activities so that young people are engaged with science and maths without necessarily realising it."

Zoe Lewis, principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College, welcomed the launch of Primary Engineer.

She said: “Middlesbrough College is delighted to host the launch of Primary Engineer on Teesside – a vital scheme that fosters vital skills among young people.

“It is also fantastic to host Professor John Perkins and to hear about his experiences in the science and engineering sectors, experiences that will inspire our students.”