Coleg Gwent leads expansion of South Wales school engineering programme

On the back of the Welsh Government’s latest push to attract STEM expertise to Wales, 27 schools in South Wales are set to become launchpads for creating a future workforce of engineers — in a programme led by Coleg Gwent.

The further education college has announced that 22 additional South Wales schools will benefit from engineering education projects (HiVEs).

The announcement follows the success of four HiVE hubs and one mini HiVE already in operation at Ysgol Gyfun Tredegar, Ebbw Fawr Learning Community, Abertillery Learning Community, Brynmawr Foundation School and Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg.

With thanks to funding from the Welsh Government’s Tech Valleys programme, the new schools joining the programme include Heolddu Comprehensive School, Islwyn High School, Risca Community Comprehensive School, Lewis Girls’ School and Ysgol Abersychan as well as 23 primary schools in Blaenau Gwent.

The aim of the programme is to introduce engineering to primary and secondary school pupils before they reach further education.

Equipping schools with the necessary resources, Coleg Gwent will provide a range of STEM-related tools to support students on their path to engineering success — including robotics materials, high-spec laptops for CAD (Computer Aided Design), electronics and programming kits, green-powered cars, tools, 3D printers, and LEGO kits.

The school-based projects form part of the post 16 High Value Engineering (HiVE) education facility – HiVE, a collaborative venture between Blaenau Gwent County Council, Coleg Gwent, and industry partners. HiVE is a state-of-the-art, education facility, currently being constructed on the former Monwel Factory site in Ebbw Vale that will train Coleg Gwent students in advanced engineering disciplines such as robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous manufacturing, simulation, and augmented reality.

Blaenau Gwent County Council, who have been instrumental in developing HiVE, is supporting the school programme expansion as part of its STEM Facilitation Project, also funded through the Welsh Government’s Tech Valleys programme.  A HiVE Liaison Officer has been appointed to support the schools with the use of the HiVE hubs equipment.

A new curriculum will also be developed in the selected schools for BTEC Engineering Level 2 at GCSE, ensuring that students are introduced to engineering from years 7 to 9.

John Sexton, Assistant Principal at Coleg Gwent said: “By expanding our mini HiVEs and HiVE hubs programme, we hope to introduce more pupils to engineering at a younger age, inspiring them to consider progression routes to HiVE.

“Coleg Gwent aims to prepare the future workforce in a specialised facility that will provide learners with access to cutting-edge technology and innovation that reflects industry standards. We hope that the expansion of HiVE hubs and mini HiVEs continues to inspire the next generation of engineers.”

Cllr John Morgan, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Cabinet Member for Place & Regeneration & Economic Development said: “The HiVE Liaison Officer role will provide continuity of current STEM support and STEM skills which links the BG STEM Facilitation Project and HiVE pathways. This collaborative approach will provide pupils with valuable experiences which will hopefully inspire them to consider a STEM pathway at HiVE and become our future engineers.”

Lee Perrott from Ysgol Gyfun Tredegar continued: “The Welsh Government funding and guidance from Coleg Gwent have enabled us to purchase cutting edge resources and utilise support from the college to successfully introduce Engineering as a Key Stage 4 subject as part of the HIVE hub school scheme.  We have also visited the BGLZ to experience the study of Engineering at Level 3 and this has inspired several of our learners to embark on Engineering and other STEM pathways at Coleg Gwent.”