BAE Systems has worked with Jon Egging Trust (JET) to run STEM activities for almost a decade, with employees volunteering on programmes to support young people who face barriers to learning, helping them build confidence, develop employability skills and re-engage with education.
In this new chapter of their partnership, JET will receive £180,000 from BAE Systems over the next three years, helping it to deliver its programmes in North Wales and Lincolnshire, building on a £50,000 donation provided in 2021.
The STEM outreach day was held at RAF Valley, where teams from JET and BAE Systems were joined by RAF personnel to deliver engaging activities to local year 9 students.
The students took part in interactive workshops and challenges including a ‘Roving Robots Quest’, Lego coding, a planetarium show and the Mach Loop Challenge, which saw them fly a virtual Typhoon through the RAF’s low-level flying training area in Wales in a race against time. Each activity was aimed at building teamwork, leadership and communication skills and highlighting career opportunities linked to aviation and aerospace. These themes are central to JET’s long-term Blue Skies programme, which provides early intervention for young people at risk of falling out of education due to life challenges.
“It was fantastic to be part of the launch event today. Many of the students have seen RAF aircraft flying across the Anglesey skies since they were little but have never had the opportunity to visit the airbase or consider what a career in aerospace might mean to them. Breaking down those barriers and giving young people access to inspiring work environments and professional role models is central to our Blue Skies ethos, broadening horizons and, in doing so, changing the course of young lives. Having worked with RAF Valley since 2013 we are delighted to celebrate our new platinum partnership with BAE Systems, we look forward to reaching many more young people as a result of this significant, long-term funding commitment.”Dr Emma Egging OBE, CEO of Jon Egging Trust
“BAE Systems and JET share an ambition to open young people’s eyes to the world of possibilities a STEM career can offer and we invest heavily in our local communities to support young people’s education. The students’ enthusiasm during this outreach day shows how worthwhile our investment is and we’re proud to take this even further by increasing our support for JET’s fantastic Blue Skies programme. Working together, we look forward to helping many more young people realise their potential.”Sir Stuart Atha, Director of Training Strategy, BAE Systems Air, and JET Patron
“Few things better exemplify our ‘one team’ approach and our commitment to being a force for good in our community than our engagement with BAE Systems and Jon Egging Trust. Today’s announcement will see things step up a gear. RAF Valley is delighted to be part of this, as it has enabled us to have a disproportionately positive impact on young people in North Wales.”Gez Currie, RAF Valley Station Commander, Group Captain