College News

QE’s future engineers discover robotics

Members of the Future Engineers Scheme from QE have spent an inspiring day at Labman Automation in Stokesley. Labman manufactures specialist robotic solutions for laboratories, industries and medical facilities for customers across the globe. After a demonstration of one of their latest products, the students received an informative tour of the premises, chatting to senior staff, graduates and former QE students who now work for the company. Aaron Thomas, who studied Maths, Physics and Geology at QE, is now in the second year of his apprenticeship with Labman and has recently started a Mechanical Engineering degree at Teesside University. The group also met Joy Fletcher, who has just obtained her first graduate job and Nick Bruce, who left QE in 2009 and who is now a Project Leader with the organisation. All have offered their support in mentoring the College’s Future Engineers, providing them with advice on the skills required to work in this particular industry.

Student, Ethan Metcalfe, comments: ‘There was a great atmosphere within the company, everyone was so friendly and the Managing Director actually asked us to resolve one of their computer problems’. Cameron Pirie adds: ‘It was brilliant to see the wide range of products Labman is currently working on and the teamwork that was going on between both senior and junior members of staff’.

Liz Bryan, Future Engineers Co-ordinator, concludes: ‘It was lovely to reconnect with some of our ex-students and watch them pass on useful advice to the Future Engineers. The visit was extremely enjoyable and really informative’.