STUDENTS from a school in Dorchester have completed some virtual work experience during the lockdown with a major Dorset employer.

A group of eleven Year 12 students from Thomas Hardye School joined BAE Systems Dorchester on a Virtual Work Experience Programme.

BAE Systems is a global defence, aerospace and security company employing around 83,100 people worldwide including 35,000 in the UK. It is also a major local employer with sites in Dorchester, Weymouth, Yeovil, Bovington and Christchurch.

The students were taken through the engineering lifecycle as well as covering topics such as stakeholder analysis, project management, risk management and customer satisfaction. Student Isabel Dawkins said: “It was inspiring to speak to so many people who are beginning or continuing their careers with the company.

"Their supportive team not only taught me how to design a project but showed me the expansive opportunities throughout the company.”

On the first day of each phase the students spent time in virtual meetings learning about the theory and principles of each stage with a member of BAES. They then spent time applying what they had learned to their ongoing project throughout the second day.

Student Kerr Jeffery said: “Before doing the work experience, I thought engineering was only design something and then building it however, now I know about parts of a project like project management, testing and research.”

On the final morning the student team gave an impressive and highly professional presentation on the Aircraft Carrier Landing Application which they had been tasked to research and design. The presentation was presented to representatives from both the engineering and management functions across the business.

Student Jamie Stewart added: "This work experience has been a great opportunity to talk and learn about how engineers would approach a problem in the real world.”

While Emily Sage said: “Working on this project has given me self-assurance and a much deeper insight into the engineering industry.”

Professional pathways coordinator at the school, Penny Campbell, said: “The Thomas Hardye Sixth Form are extremely grateful to Connie Wilson of BAES for adapting this fantastic opportunity so that our students were still able to benefit, despite the challenging circumstances remote working presents.

“The Thomas Hardye school recognises that high quality work experience is a key element of the futures provision we try to provide and encourage. We are very proud of the motivation and dedication shown by our students to be successful and make the most of this fantastic opportunity and believe it epitomises our approach to futures provision.”