"I should just like to comment on the performance of Niki in support of Hull College and the Richard Noble speaking event on 19th May. Niki and the Apprentices provided an outstanding level of support to the schools events in the morning and afternoon where they actively engaged and supported the young people in the Balloon Car Challenge.

Every time I work with Niki she always shows a keen interest in the promotion of STEM to young people and always provides outstanding delivery"

Jonathan Ellis

BLOODHOUND SSC

Ambassador Programme Director

"Last year we started to plan a 'STEM Week' to coincide with National Science and Engineering Week in March 2011. Our aim for the week is to raise the aspirations of students and encourage 'Girls into STEM' by providing careers advice, information and guidance, along side hands-on activities which would engage and enthuse.

Working with Mike Cargill from HETA has really made all the difference to organising this event. Mike came to our first planning meeting a few months ago, and by the end of the meeting I had a long list of contacts and plenty of ideas for activities, with some excellent advice on how to ensure the activities were meaningful and how to measure impact. He has been in close contact ever since, providing support and links with a huge range of organisations.

Mike is also running a stand in both of our careers fairs, as well as delivering (by hand!) STEM posters, leaflets and pull-up banners to display around school (not to mention ringing around his many contacts and asking them to send as many posters as they could to us too!) Working in collaboration with HETA has really promoted our STEM week more than we ever could have, and this has led to an level of support from local industry that has left us speechless."

Karen Hornby
Newland School For Girls

“Over the last three years The Hessle Federation of Schools has benefited hugely from the STEM programme, supported and delivered via HETA and in particular Mike Cargill.

Mike has been integral to 'raising' the profile of the STEM agenda across The Federation through various mechanisms including:

* Delivering teacher training
* Delivering assemblies
* Organising workshops for students
* Interviewing and mentoring students
* Offering advice and support to staff and students
* Providing resources to be used to advertise the STEM agenda and/or deliver in class
* Taking part in workshops and bringing along apprentices to support

I can not thank Mike, and the team at HETA enough, for their truly valuable support. It is also worth noting here that Nikki Bardsley has also given her time up to support events and workshops. Many many thanks to all the team. The impact the above has had on our students and the profile of STEM includes:

* 25% increase in uptake of STEM A'Levels
* Introduction of BTEC Engineering @ GCSE. Soon to be at KS5.
* Supported re-evaluation and structure of Science & TEchnology DEpts - now one department under 'SciTech.'
* STEM Ambassador Programme: we now have 6 Ambassadors who regularly mentor our students.”

Sarah Bone
Deputy Head Teacher
Hessle Federation of Schools

"Mike Cargill and his Schools Links Team have been very helpful and supportive with preparing our students, as well as working with our staff, to introduce the Engineering Diploma. Colleagues at HETA and our Diploma students have also worked together in order to complete practical activities. The students were set a challenge in ‘mixed groups and of different abilities’ and they had to produce ideas and solutions to the problems set. The activities were based around team work/team activities to encourage the students to work together as they were from different schools within each group.

Through the project given, the students also developed many skills linked to Engineering regarding problem solving and practical preparation for which they can build on in the future. This has been an excellent introduction and Mike led the activity, encouraging as well as challenging individuals within their teams. He constantly provided advice and guidance, linking experiences back to Engineering. Students who helped Mike with the activity, presented, encouraged and spoke highly of their experiences to each group with regards to the expectations within Education and working at HETA. They also outlined the importance of keeping up-to-date with new Technologies and ensured they passed on the guidance re. functional skills and choosing the correct work experience placements.

A group of our students have also visited HETA and with Mike’s guidance, pupils have a clear understanding of all areas of opportunity within Engineering. The visit included a guided tour around the facilities showing students from other schools working together as well as older students who once did GCSE Engineering or BTEC courses how they are working and the opportunities available to them. A HETA employer also presented to our students the different routes and career opportunities they could work towards within Engineering.

This has really helped support the Unit 1 our students have been working towards by creating a document, researching different sectors of Engineering and the alternative career routes and job roles within this sector. Mike Cargill has helped arrange all these events and we hope to continue to build on the Engineering partnership to ensure the students have all the opportunities available to them for future roles. Mike has also been a great support to our staff by providing advice on the range of knowledge and guidance required in the delivery of the Diploma as well as information links for D&T, STEM AND Product Design."

Tina Beharrell
South Hunsley