A CLASSROOM dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers has opened at Bournemouth and Poole College.

Wimborne-based manufacturing company Cobham sponsored the new classroom at the college’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Centre in North Road, Poole.

The classroom, which includes motivational graphics and illuminated cabinets containing examples of Cobham’s pioneering technology, will be used to inspire the next generation of engineering apprentices taking part in the company’s award-winning apprenticeship programme.

Cobham’s apprenticeship programme provides apprentices with the opportunity to work on real life engineering projects for market-leading technologies across the sea, land, air and space domains.

The newly refurbished classroom, which will be used to teach Cobham apprentices, was opened on Monday after a short ceremony and ribbon-cutting by Gordon Page, chairman of Dorset’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

He said: “We need a continuous supply of STEM minded youngsters to fuel our regional and national economic development and the opportunities in today’s advanced research and manufacturing industry are fantastic.

“To the apprentices and students who have access to Cobham’s apprenticeship programme, I say go for it, our advanced engineering and our Dorset companies will fully support you.”

Second year apprentice, Dan Leigh, said: “Seeing the technology in the cabinets is fascinating because you know it’s real and has actually been built by Cobham engineers.

“It makes me realise that I could go on to help design and create similar pieces in future, which is really inspirational.

“I’m looking forward to studying in the new classroom and who knows – one day it may be my technology in the cabinets.”

Pauline Howell, SVP organisational design and talent development at Cobham plc, said: “Sponsoring the classroom at Bournemouth and Poole College and inspiring the students whist they study is important because we recognise that they are the future of engineering.

“By inspiring them today we are securing ground-breaking technology for tomorrow. Every piece of technology in the cabinets was designed and created by Cobham engineers. We hope the classroom motivates them”