ExxonMobil Fawley makes £12,000 STEM contribution
Apprentices at Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA), Millbrook and students at New Forest Academy, Holbury have benefitted from a New Year contribution from ExxonMobil Fawley.
The refinery and petrochemical plant has given £6,000 to each of the organisations as part of its commitment to encouraging young people in the local community to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and to pursue careers related to those subjects.
Simon Downing, Refinery Manager at ExxonMobil Fawley, said: “Making sure we play our part in helping to give local young people opportunities to engage in STEM is an important priority for the site. Our goal is to support their education so that they not only enjoy their learningbut also have the potential to go on and have successful careers, perhaps even with us here at Fawley.”
Apprentices studying at SETA benefitted from a £6,000 contribution from ExxonMobil Fawley. The money will be used to buy new tools and equipment needed for a variety of trades, including fitting, machinery, electrical and instrumentation. A significant proportion will go towards purchasing much-needed welding equipment, while the cash will also help to increase SETA’s range of portable hand tools.
Julie Gough, Managing Director of SETA, said: “We are overwhelmed with the donation from ExxonMobil Fawley.As a registered charity, established in 1969, we have spent the past 50 years committed to quality engineering training for young people and have built links with local schools to try and encourage them into the industry.
“We work closely with the STEM network, so this donation from ExxonMobil fits perfectly with our ethos. To receive a £6,000 cash donation provides the opportunity to replace existing equipment with brand new, modern equipment thus enhancing the apprentices’ training experience.”
The £6,000 awarded to New Forest Academy (NFA) will be used to help fund a series of STEM events. These will see about 150 pupils from local primary schools invited to take part in fun science-related activities, assisted by teachers and older students from NFA. The cash will also help to purchase a state-of-the-art laser cutter. This will be used by GCSE technology students as part of their project work.
New Forest Academy Principal Karen Godsall said: “We are delighted that ExxonMobil is supporting us with important STEM-based projects. The students will benefit enormously from using the laser cutter in their technology lessons. Also, we look forward to running our STEM-based events with local primary schools as they provide such valuable learning experiences for young people within our community.”
Pictured: Simon Downing, Refinery Manager at ExxonMobil Fawley; Julie Gough, Managing Director at SETA; Gary Ranger of ExxonMobil and Alison Jones, Community Affairs Manager at ExxonMobil Fawley with First year ExxonMobil apprentices undertaking their first year practical workshop training at SETA.
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