At Projex Solutions, we believe that engineering is the backbone of innovation, shaping the world we live in. That’s why we were thrilled to take part in “Dream Big: Exploring the World of Work Fortnight” at Northowram Primary School. On Tuesday, 4th March, our Managing Director, Jamie Ashton, took the stage at the morning assembly to inspire Year 4, 5, and 6 pupils about the exciting possibilities within engineering.
Standing in front of a hall filled with eager young faces, Jamie found the experience both nostalgic and rewarding. It was a particularly special moment because his own son in the audience.
Just that morning, before leaving for school, he’d asked his dad, “Why do you want to waffle on about engineering?”
Jamie’s reply was simple, “Because it’s exciting!”
Why Engineering? Why Now?
Engineering is often seen as a field of hard hats and heavy machinery, but in reality, it’s so much more. From designing sustainable energy solutions to developing life-changing pharmaceuticals, engineering is at the heart of nearly every industry. Jamie’s goal was to open young minds to these opportunities, showing them that engineering is about creativity, problem-solving, and changing the world.
Bringing Engineering to Life
To capture the students’ imagination, Jamie shared his personal apprenticeship journey, which led him from being an instrumentation technician, promoted in the design engineering team and then moving into project management, taking him across the UK and as far as Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Using animated slides and real-life stories, he demonstrated that engineering is a global career with endless possibilities.
Inspiring Future Problem-Solvers
Jamie emphasised that engineering isn’t just about technical skills – it’s about having a can-do mindset. The ability to think critically, solve problems, and adapt to new challenges is what makes engineering such a valuable career path.
He also explained that engineers can work across multiple industries, including:
- Chemical – creating sustainable / Eco products to and high performance wearable tech
- Pharmaceutical – developing lifesaving medicines
- Energy – designing sustainable alternative solutions
- Food manufacturing (FMCG) – improving the way we produce and consume food
The Importance of Early Exposure
By introducing young minds to engineering early, we can help them discover their strengths and passions. Many children don’t realise the variety of careers available in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and events like this spark interest that could lead to future careers in engineering.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the experience, Jamie said he would “absolutely” participate in a similar event again. “I love seeing the light in people’s eyes when they hear someone speak passionately about their career. It’s rewarding to know that you might have sparked inspiration in even one student’s mind.”
As Projex Solutions continues to drive innovation and excellence in engineering, initiatives like this reaffirm the company’s commitment to inspiring the next generation. Who knows? Maybe one of the students from Northowram Primary School might one day end up becoming a future engineer at Projex Solutions!
