?ANYTHING is possible? was the message at Okehampton College last week as charismatic TV presenter Johnny Ball shed light on engineering with students. The pupils, aged from 9 to 13, experienced the thrills of making things happen when they took part in experiments in two sessions to discover how engineering has revolutionised our lives over the centuries. From lighting up fluorescent tubes ? without electricity ? to seeing how one small girl can physically lift/move four large boys, pupils learned first-hand about the excitement and scope of engineering. The industry is vitally important to the South West of England ? the region?s advanced engineering in aerospace is the largest in the UK ? yet employers are seriously concerned about a growing skills shortage and recruitment prospects in the future. Johnny Ball said: ?With the minds of today?s school pupils and tomorrow?s engineering anything is possible. Engineering contributes to everyone?s lives, and can help to solve so many problems.? Phil Orton, head of design and technology at Okehampton College, said: ?This country has a great tradition of being at the forefront of technological innovation?. He welcomed Johnny Ball and his team and their ?vision of the future?. Mr Orton said the roadshow was a great opportunity for young people in the Okehampton area to ?come together and share ideas of how engineering could shape the way in which the world works?. The roadshow is part of the Advanced Engineering Skills Project ? a £4-million initiative funded by the South West of England Regional Development Agency and the Engineering Employers? Federation (EEF) Western to inspire people to take up a career in engineering. ?Recruiting skilled staff is assuming increasing importance for our members,? said Barry Warburton of EEF Western. ?Our organisation represents more than 500 engineering and manufacturing companies in the south west. Between them they employ more than 100,000 staff. ?The shortages are becoming apparent in most engineering sectors with many companies concerned about the number of young people applying for apprenticeship and training programmes.? Johnny Ball has a passion for education and popularises science and mathematics, writing and presenting numerous series for children?s TV and has received two honorary doctorates in science ? from Glasgow and Sheffield Hallam Universities.
