Expanding event expected to pull in 2,000 school pupils

Now in its third year, the organisers say the event is doubling in size each year. Scarborough Engineering Week will run from October 15-17 at The Spa in Scarborough.

“Engineering is critical to the UK’s future, and especially to Scarborough which is a regional centre of engineering excellence, yet we are constrained by skills shortages,” said Peter Wilkinson from the lead organiser Unison, a Scarborough-based business which makes metalworking machines.

“Engineering offers superb opportunities for job satisfaction and reward, but for many youngsters today it’s not their first choice of career.

“Scarborough Engineering Week aims to win young hearts and minds by showing the amazing things that engineers can achieve.”

Organisers said a highlight of this year’s event would be the appearance of the Bloodhound SSC jet and rocket-powered car, which is targeting speeds of 1,000mph to smash the current world land speed record.

The Angelic Bulldog streamliner motorcycle, that is being built to reach speeds of 400mph and break the world motorcycle land speed record, will also be returning to the event.

Scarborough Engineering Week is being organised by Unison, with the help of the regional education business partnership NYBEP, and in conjunction with local schools and colleges and many of the region’s engineering companies.

York Potash, which is currently investigating the feasibility of a potash mine in the Whitby and Scarborough area, is sponsoring the exhibition.

Among the many engineering businesses already committed to exhibiting are Plaxton, Blue Bird Vehicles, Perry Slingsby Systems, Fanuc Robotics, Moog, Faro, Dale Erskine, and North Sea Winches.

Some 400 students from the region attended the first Scarborough Engineering Week in 2010.