President praises apprenticeships
An
Institution of Mechanical Engineers product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
May 30, 2006
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has welcomed Alec Osborn, MBE, as its 121st President.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has welcomed Alec Osborn, MBE, as its 121st President.
Osborn, who hails from a farming family and now lives in Thurlby, Bourne, stressed during his first day in office today that he hopes to promote and champion young people entering the engineering profession.
He stressed he wanted to carry on and build on the good work of his predecessor, Andrew Ives, and that he also hopes to get involved in promoting the work of engineers tackling climate change.
In his address last week at the IMechE's headquarters in Birdcage Walk, London, he focused on his career as an apprentice, then draughtsman at BRM, to Chief Engineer at Perkins.
During his 12-year-stint at BRM he worked on numerous projects including the BRM Formula 1 H16 and V12 engines before moving to Perkins in Peterborough where he was to spend 32 years.
He said: "Being an apprentice was absolutely critical to my success as an engineer and I would recommend it to anyone".
"It introduces you to a real working environment and the responsibility that goes with it at a formative period in your career".
"It also develops your character, your personality and gives you an appreciation for the academic and vocational skills needed to become an engineer".
"I remember studying for two HNCs at Grantham College, back to back for five years, one day a week and two evenings, when I was working for BRM".
"I had a passion, and I think that is what is what we need to introduce in to some of our schools and teaching".
"Becoming an engineer is one of the most rewarding careers anyone can have, but it is hard work and requires commitment".
"If children can appreciate and enjoy the challenges maths and science can give them at school the battle is almost won".
Osborn presented the 2005 Whitworth Awards and said he felt saddened that there were so few applications this year.
He said: "As a youngster growing up, it was the fascination of farm machinery and engines that began to inspire me to become an engineer".
"I had a passion to find out how things worked and how to improve on that and now, as President, I would like a chance to hopefully instil some of that passion in youngsters today".
One special high profile education project that has his support and involvement is the multi-million-pound Thomas Deacon Academy which will specialise in teaching maths and science when it opens in Peterborough next year.
He is currently a Director of the Academy.
Since joining the institution in 1962 he has been involved with a host of boards and committees including being Chairman of Qualifications and Membership, Technical Strategy Board and East Midlands Region.
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