Young engineers are problem solvers

ASPIRING engineers from one of Warrington’s top colleges have successfully resolved problems for two major industrial giants.
Students from Priestley College have been working with Fiddlers Ferry Power Station and Solvay Perstorp on two specifically arranged projects as part of an engineering enrichment course.
An engineer from both organisations has worked with the two groups since September on two problems, culminating in the trial of test models.
The students were divided into two groups, the first had to find a solution to extracting debris from fuel at Fiddlers Ferry, while the other was challenged to design and build a machine that would break down 25 kg bags of neo-pentyl glycol (NPG)at Solvay Perstorp.
All the students from the Loushers Lane college received certificates for their hard work and ingenuity during a special presentation ceremony at the University of Manchester.
Student Ellie Howarth commented: “We were set a difficult problem to solve but once we visited the power station things really got put into context.
“I learned a lot during the year including things like costings, time and quality. The EES scheme has really cemented in my mind that I want to pursue a civil engineering degree.”
College tutor Alan Durbin said: “The students were able to gain much from the experience, particularly teamwork and time keeping as the weekly schedules had to be adhered to.
“Having now had a glimpse of the industry, many of the students want to fulfil their ambitions of becoming engineers and to this end the scheme will be looked upon very favourably during their applications to University.”
Picture shows, from left to right, Tom Sutton, Phil Miller, John Rowe (engineer Scottish and Southern Energy), Ellie Howarth and Adam Cresswell