Robot programming, coding challenges and light-up cars all formed part of the day’s fun activities run by FCDO Services, UK NACE and HMGCC yesterday.
The event was aimed at inspiring a love of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Students taking part also had the chance to grill current and former apprentices from HMGCC and FCDO Services on how a love of STEM can lead to some of the most exciting jobs in tech and national security.
In all, 135 year 11 and 13 students from five schools and colleges across Milton Keynes took part in the day at Bletchley Park, organised by government organisations from Milton Keynes’ Hanslope Park.
FCDO Services, the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping (UK NACE) and HMGCC joined forces to showcase career opportunities in IT, technical security and engineering through a series of hands-on workshops at Bletchley Park's learning centre.
The event was timed to coincide with this week's National Apprenticeship Week, highlighting the apprenticeship pathways available to students this year.
Students gained an insight into the vital work carried out by the World War Two Codebreakers and discovered how that same spirit of scientific creativity and engineering excellence continues today at Hanslope Park.
FCDO Services, UK NACE and HMGCC deliver critical work at the heart of UK national security, serving both UK and international governments. Protecting the UK's interests brings unique opportunities to innovate, develop new skills and create important technologies within a supportive community of specialists.
This outreach event reflected the commitment of these government organisations to nurturing talent and inspiring the next generation of technology, cyber security and engineering professionals.
“In the future HMGCC will continue to need the best engineering minds in the UK – so we need to do all we can to inspire the next generations of tech talent,” said George Williamson, Chief Executive Officer at HMGCC.
“By holding events like these and bringing schoolchildren face to face with those who carved exciting careers for themselves in STEM disciplines, we are showing where the tools of the classroom can take you. The answer is – some fascinating and crucial roles within national security technology.”
For more information on the available apprenticeships, head to Applying for an Apprenticeship - FCDO Services Careers
