Nottingham-based company, Furrer+Frey GB, opened their doors with activities for 14 to 16–year–olds from all over the East Midlands.
Young people took part in the challenge of designing and building overhead electrification equipment. The same type of equipment that provides electricity to trains travelling up to 125 miles per hour up and down the country.
Taking part, Lucas said:
“Making the electrification cantilever was the highlight of my [school] holiday”.
The year 10 and 11 students learnt about the engineering challenges behind the equipment and tried their hand at building their own systems in the company’s Beeston facility.
Samuel said:
“We learnt a lot from the day, I’m shocked at how much effort and intelligence goes into railway electrification”.
Furrer+Frey’s Rail Electrification School was put on in partnership with the Engineering Development Trust, a UK wide educational charity that provides inspiring opportunities for young people to explore the exciting world of STEM.
Their Industrial Cadets Routes into STEM programme is designed to support young people explore STEM education providers and STEM companies in their areas.
Ava said:
“STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and we covered all of that at Furrer+Frey”.
Noel Dolphin, Head of UK Projects at Furrer+Frey added:
“There’s a big future ahead for any young person thinking of going into rail electrification.
“Just over one-third of the British railway is electrified and much more needs to be before we can drop diesel and run on 100% green and clean electricity.
“I would encourage any small business in related fields to give one of these sessions a go. Working with young people brings so much fun, joy and new perspectives into the workplace.”
