This workshop will introduce students to the Mining Institute and the engineers connected to its foundation, including Nicholas Wood, along with a tour of our Grade II* listed building we hope to instil local pride, raising learners’ awareness of the region’s rich history of industry and engineering.  

As with our Northern Aspirations workshop, this workshop discusses some of the North of England’s greatest engineers and encourages students to consider the range of both their engineering and soft skills. In doing so, students can start to make connections and identify their own attributes and interests.

Black and white photo of two 50 MW machines for Bunnerong - Parsons first full speed 50 MW sets (1937)

We follow up with a discussion focused on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and how they can use the skills discussed to solve real-world problems. They explore the goals that are important to them individually, as well as their future aspirations.  

They then explore, through testimonial video and discussion different facets of the engineering sector, considering where they might fit, and take a quiz to determine which areas of the industry might be of particular interest to them that they can follow up with further research of their own. 

Learning Outcomes  

  • Inform students of local engineering heritage and its impact  
  • Improve awareness and aspirations for engineering-related study and careers  
  • Challenge stereotypes by understanding the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering  
  • Give an understanding of their own skills and potential in the engineering sector  

  This experience helps your school to reach the following Gatsby benchmarks:  

  • Learning from careers and labour market information    
  • Addressing the needs of each student  
  • Linking curriculum learning to careers 
  • Personal guidance 
Photo of Krystina stood outside in front of a grey and black aircraft.

The Face of Engineering

Discover and be inspired by the stories of 13 female engineers in our podcast series "The Face of Engineering".

Collections-old

The Common Room holds one of the largest, most comprehensive, public collections on mining engineering in the world. Explore for yourself...
Male apprentice on the workshop floor

Heritage Enrichment Module

The Common Room also delivers a module for apprentices which uses our archive of industrial heritage, to enrich their learning and instil pride in North East engineering.