Wind of change at Hebburn Sea Cadets as Dogger Bank supports new engineering hub
The refurbished engineering hub at Hebburn Sea Cadets is now fully operational and will provide valuable skills and learning resources for cadets across the region for years to come, thanks to a £10,000 donation.
Young people across South Tyneside are set to benefit from a newly refurbished engineering hub at Hebburn Sea Cadets, one of only two in the whole country.
The major overhaul of facilities at the Mountbatten Memorial Buildings on Prince Consort Road in Hebburn means TS Kelly can offer an advanced-level engineering qualification to cadets for the first time since it was founded in 1934.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm, currently building the biggest offshore wind farm in the world and headquartered at the Port of Tyne, gave £10,000 to the major overhaul of facilities at the Mountbatten Memorial Buildings on Prince Consort Road in Hebburn.
Other funders include the Reece Foundation, Catherine Cookson Foundation, 29th May 2961 Trust and The Reserve Forces and Cadet Association.
The refurbishment has transformed a 20-year-old engineering space into a modern and comfortable learning environment, equipped to help cadets develop practical engineering skills and explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Ed McNaught, the chair of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets Tyne Tees, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Dogger Bank Wind Farm and the local businesses involved for helping us create a facility that will benefit young people for many years to come.”
Alfie Simpson from Hebburn Sea Cadets said: “There are so many skills that cadets get out of being part of the Sea Cadets, from engineering and communications to the many activities we offer.
“It all helps prepare them for work”
“It all helps prepare them for work and life, and to become good members of the community.
“For me, the enjoyment comes from seeing what the young people get out of it.”
One young person explained that it will help them learn more about engineering and engines, support their GCSE studies and provide an early insight into working in an engineering environment.
While many of the cadets may take their engineering knowledge into the armed forces, should they later choose a career in the military, others go on to a civilian life where having engineering skills at a young age can be invaluable in the job market
A spokesperson for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said: “We are proud to support initiatives that give young people practical learning opportunities, inspire interest in engineering and help create pathways into future careers.
“The refurbished engineering hub is now fully operational and will provide valuable skills and learning resources for cadets across the region for years to come.”