Academy’s visit to Harper Adams makes TV!

Posted 10 September 2012

The experience of more than 100 year 10 students spending a week at Harper Adams University College has been featured on ITV Central news.

The students were on site learning about technical engineering skills as part of their induction to specialist training school, JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffordshire.

It was the third year that the Academy has visited Harper Adams. This is thanks to a special partnership that gives students access to the expertise available at the only UK Higher Education provider of honours degree level Agricultural Engineering and Off Road Vehicle Design courses.

As well as technical workshops, the students were living in the halls of residence, taking part in team-building sessions and enjoying social time.

The event attracted the attention of ITV Central news, with a reporter and cameraman visiting the Academy and Harper Adams on Thursday morning.

Lecturer Greg Rowsell has been leading a workshop on chassis design. He said: “Our relationship with the JCB Academy stems from our shared goal of wanting to champion engineering and to help address the skills gap in engineering-related industries.

“It’s fantastic for both us and the Academy to see our activities featured on television, the students have been great to work with and we hope that they feel inspired after their week on campus.”

The Academy is designed to produce the engineers and business leaders of the future, while still teaching the students core GCSE subjects. It is the brainchild of JCB chairman, Sir Anthony Bamford, recipient of a Harper Adams Honorary Doctorate of Science.

Mr Bailey from the JCB Academy, said: “Once again, Harper Adams has delivered an outstanding experience for our students.

“The fact the institutions have a shared ethos and mutual dedication to building the technical skills this country needs, makes for a very productive partnership.”

The Academy is funded by the Department for Education, but as main sponsor JCB contributed 10 per cent of the capital and donated the mill in which it is based.

To watch the feature, click here.