Yeovil has been chosen as the launchpad for the first UK edition of an international engineering programme designed to encourage young people to consider careers in engineering, technology and sustainability.
More than 80 young people aged 13 to 16 recently took part in Ad Astra: Find Your Spark, a two-day programme held at Leonardo’s Yeovil helicopter site and the nearby iAero innovation centre. Participants included pupils from schools across Somerset and children of Leonardo employees.
The initiative gave young people the chance to explore engineering through practical activities, rather than simply learning about the industry in a classroom. Leonardo said the programme is intended to help inspire the next generation of engineers, innovators and problem-solvers.
Behind the scenes at Leonardo’s Yeovil site
As part of the experience, participants toured parts of the Leonardo site that are rarely open to the public. These included the company’s Wind Tunnel and Training Academy.
They also took part in engineering challenges and met people working on some of the UK’s most advanced helicopter programmes. The activities were designed to show how engineering, technology and sustainability connect to real-world work.
Yeovil College worked with Leonardo to design and deliver the practical programme. Activities included helicopter design, sustainability challenges and a NASA-inspired mission exercise, with teamwork, creativity and problem-solving built into the sessions.
Programme expands from Italy
Ad Astra was originally developed in Italy and has already reached more than 800 young people. Leonardo is now expanding it internationally, with Yeovil selected as the programme’s first UK location.
The company said the Somerset launch is intended to connect young people with opportunities in engineering, science and technology. The programme forms part of Leonardo’s wider work to strengthen its links with communities and encourage more young people to consider careers in high-growth industries.
Clive Higgins, chair and chief executive of Leonardo UK Ltd, said the scheme could give young people experiences they might not otherwise have and help them understand how engineering, technology and sustainability shape the world around them.
“Ad Astra gives young people opportunities and experiences they might not otherwise have, helping them see how engineering, technology and sustainability shape the world around them. “If it inspires even a few to explore a future in engineering, it has achieved something truly valuable.”
George Round, head of faculty for engineering industries at Yeovil College, said the college’s team had helped create hands-on activities that encouraged creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.
“It has been fantastic to work alongside Leonardo to bring Ad Astra to Somerset and help create such an inspiring experience for young people. “The Yeovil College team played a key role in designing hands-on activities that encouraged creativity, teamwork and problem-solving, and it was incredible to see participants embrace every challenge. “Opportunities like this can spark ambition and open young people’s eyes to the vast array of exciting careers available in engineering and technology.”
Following the successful UK debut in Somerset, Ad Astra is expected to become part of a wider international programme connecting young people with opportunities across other Leonardo locations in the UK.