Jon Dennison's bursary fund helping disadvantaged young people realise their potential
The Engineering Development Trust (EDT) would like to thank the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) and in particular, GKN Aerospace for their continued support to the Jon Dennison Bursary Fund. The bursary supports free places on EDT Insight into University Courses for selected young people, to encourage the next generation of STEM professionals.
Jon Dennison enjoyed a long and successful career in aerospace engineering, and this fund in his memory aims to honour the passion Jon had for helping disadvantaged young people to realise their potential.
The funding will be utilised for a further two years to support ‘Insight into University (Headstart/Inspire)’, a UK-wide programme, providing opportunities for 15 to 18 year olds to spend up to a week at a UK university (courses are currently virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions) prior to making their UCAS application. Young people completing the course receive Industrial Cadets Silver Awards.
The courses are designed to increase confidence, help students make well informed decisions about their future & showcase a range of pathways to STEM careers. Participants get the chance to attend lectures, meet students and academics, visit local companies and participate in practical problem-solving activities. This unique blend of learning, networking and having fun provides the perfect mix to understanding what type of career might lie ahead and help students make a more informed UCAS application.
Jon’s final role was as Director of Government and External Affairs for GKN. He was also Chair of the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) engagement group. GKN Aerospace contributed £20,000 to the bursary in Jon’s honour to the £36,000 fund, with the rest made up by other organisations on the AGP. EDT would like to thank all those involved in the Jon Dennison Bursary Fund for opening up life-changing opportunities for some of the UK’s most disadvantaged young people.
To find out more, explore courses near you and discover if you’re eligible for a bursary, click here.
To find out more about Industrial Cadets click here.
EDT is an educational charity, and we rely on donations to help us connect young people with industry & inspiring STEM futures. Check out www.etrust.org.uk/support-us to find out how you can change a young person’s life today.
The AGP is a strategic partnership between the UK Government, industry, and other key stakeholders, established to secure the future of the UK aerospace industry in the face of an ever changing, and increasingly competitive global landscape. This partnership is intended as a vehicle to tackle barriers to growth, boost competitiveness and exports and grow the number of high value jobs in the UK. The AGP’s Skills Working Group has been working with EDT on developing the Aerospace Industrial Cadets Programme (AICP) to create a long-term Aerospace sector identity and coordinate employer engagement opportunities for young people.
