IT ALL fitted into place for a group of Weymouth College engineering students who triumphed at a regional competition.

The second-year BTEC National Diploma students impressed the judges most with their design at the annual Engineering Challenge Day held in association with Aimhigher at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.

The aim of the day is to raise awareness of engineering in higher education and as a career as well as to provide an opportunity for young people to put their technical knowledge into practice.

The eight teams from across Dorset and Somerset were challenged to produce a stationary landing platform for an aircraft carrier, used in rough seas, controlled by an electrical system.

Museum staff and volunteers, many of whom are engineers, were on hand for teams to consult during the project.

The task included aspects of mechanisms, forces and motion and control, with teams required to design, build and test their projects.

After the college group lifted the Aimhigher trophy, team leader Maxine Wildeman said: “I really enjoyed the day and think all schools and colleges across the UK should get involved in team-working tasks such as this one.

“It improved our communication skills and shows employers that we can work together under pressure.”

Weymouth College engineering tutor Mike Robbins was impressed with the dedication of the team.

He said: “The group showed great commitment and concentration during the day and represented the college admirably.”

Mr Robbins said the BTEC engineering course provides a stepping stone to university in a vocation rather than traditional academia.

Some students win advanced apprenticeships with companies like Rolls Royce in Bristol, Westland at Yeovil, DSG at Bovington, BAE Systems in Weymouth and Sunseeker at Poole.