A PROJECT to develop the brightest engineering talent in the North-East has notched up a baker’s dozen as it celebrates its fifth year.

Edward John is the 13th student to win a place on Darlington’s Encouraging Engineering Project, which supports young people who were schooled in the town through degrees in Mechanical Engineering.

The 18-year-old, a second year student studying A-level maths, physics and geography at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE), will spend his summers on placement at one of Darlington’s engineering firms while he carries out his university studies.

The scheme was launched by Darlington Borough Council in 2010, in conjunction with a number of engineering companies, using money put into a legacy fund by British American Tobacco when it closed its plant in the town.

Firms presently involved in the Encouraging Engineering project include MTE, Henry Williams, Tracerco, Cummins and Deep Ocean.

As well as the paid summer placements, during his four year course at Sheffield University, Edward will also benefit from a £12,000 bursary to help with his study costs.

He is one of two young engineers being supported by the scheme this year, the other being 18-year-old Darlington College student Jack Clark.

It comes as the engineering sector, a major employer in the North-East, is facing skills gaps with an ageing workforce and not enough young people coming forward to fill the gaps.

About 8,500 skilled workers are due to retire from engineering and manufacturing roles in the region by 2016.

A number of the firms involved in the project, as well as the QE, are already partners in the Foundation for Jobs project, a key part of which involves encouraging young people to look at opportunities in sectors such as engineering, which are expected to be major creators of jobs in the North-East.

Edward said: “This is a fantastic opportunity providing me with work experience in local engineering companies.

“It will be extremely helpful when looking for graduate employment and will complement my academic studies.”

Edward was one of the first students to take part in the QE’s Future Engineers scheme, a partnership between the college and engineering firms based in Darlington and the Tees Valley to provide sixth form students with experience, practical skills and an understanding of careers within engineering.

Liz Bryan, QE future engineers co-ordinator, added: “The Encouraging Engineering Project will be excellent in giving Edward an insight into some of the fantastic projects our local companies are working on as well as developing work-related skills which are essential for graduate employment.

“Edward had to apply through a highly competitive process and he deserves his success.”

Now a national award-winning project, Foundation for Jobs is a joint initiative to tackle youth unemployment involving The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council and the Darlington Partnership of private firms and public sector organisations, which has also enjoyed support from businesses and industrialists across the whole North-East region.

For more information email owen.mcateer@darlington.gov.uk or go to foundationforjobs.co.uk