A TEAM of ambassadors from Yeovil-based aerospace engineering firm Leonardo has visited New Zealand to generate interest in engineering.

New Zealand requires over 2,500 engineers each year to fuel its economy.

However, the country grapples with a shortage as an increasing number of engineers retire or migrate overseas.

The Leonardo representatives are providing students with first-hand accounts of engineering roles alongside a variety of engaging activities.

These activities primarily involve engineering design decisions to create a New Zealand search and rescue helicopter.

This endeavour is part of the ongoing partnership between Leonardo and the Southland and Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Academy that started in February.

It covers schools situated in Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown.

Mike Collins, CEO of Business South, said: "Manufacturing and Engineering are vital industries for the Otago and Southland economy, so it is great to see programmes like this engaging with schools to ensure the future workforce in these areas."

SOREC's skills partnership manager, James Bracewell, said: "One of our roles at SOREC is to provide pathways and opportunities for people to enter the Manufacturing and Engineering sector.

"The engaging STEM sessions introduce ideas and concepts that help inspire students of all backgrounds to explore the industry further."

Tara Crees, an avionics engineering graduate at Leonardo Helicopters and part of the visiting team, said: "The activities we have explored around helicopter engineering, has enabled the students to develop new ways of thinking, and a different perspective to career opportunities in the engineering sector through the SOREC Academy."

She added: “It was great to see the students’ enthusiasm and ingenious ways of problem-solving as a team."

The collaboration between SOREC and Leonardo emerged from a mutual understanding that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) shortfall is a global problem.

With interactive activities targeting students' potential, the partnership hopes to highlight the numerous STEM career paths that the students might pursue.

This effort is intended to mitigate the engineering deficit, which is one of the key challenges confronting the rapidly developing engineering sector of New Zealand.