HPC team inspires budding engineers at Royal Bath & West Show

Pictured getting to grips with circuits is EDF Energy's Hinkley Point C offsite mitigation manager Lidia Bosa and young visitor Matt Kidd

More than 20,000 visitors are expected to be shown that science can be both innovative and fun as EDF Energy helps to inspire the next generation of engineers at the annual Royal Bath and West Show near Shepton Mallet in Somerset.

EDF Energy’s team has joined industry leaders in the Imagineering Zone to encourage young people aged between eight and 16 to consider studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

The marquee is packed with innovative displays and activities and uses some of the latest technology to reveal the techniques behind modern manufacturing and energy production.

There is also the opportunity to win prizes by snapping a selfie at the EDF Energy stand and to learn more about the long-term education and career prospects offered by the company.

The Imagineering area, which is led by independent education charity the Imagineering Foundation, is also supported by Bridgwater College, Yeovil College, Augustawestland, Thales, GE Aviation, BMT, Doosan Babcock, City of Bristol College and the University of the West of England.

EDF Energy’s team includes volunteers from its training campus at Cannington Court as well as staff from Hinkley Point Visitor Centre in Bridgwater and both the Hinkley Point C project and Hinkley Point B power station.

Marie Howe, EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point Visitor Centre co-ordinator, said: “We are committed to inspiring the workforce of the future and as part of that commitment we have supported this event for the past five years.

“The aim is to address the future skills gap by promoting engineering to young people as an exciting future career.”