Closing the Skills Gap

The Future Leaders Cohort 3

The Future Leaders Programme is a yearlong initiative set up by the BVAA that aims to take a number of young professionals - who were nominated by their employers - and equip them with the skills required to be the next future leaders in the industry.

This is the third successful year of the enterprise and it looks set to continue to a fourth.

Many engineering-led industries are currently facing a crisis in leadership and the course aims to empower young people to take the skills required for leadership roles forward in their careers.

The latest group (Cohort 3), comprised eleven professionals from valve and actuator businesses across the UK.

The course comprised monthly personal development sessions with a specific focus on presentation, teamwork and leadership.

Each participant also coordinated an educational event supported by their employer, so the group can learn more about the industry as a whole. This year’s tours included a look at the Stanlow Refinery, to witnessing cryogenic testing of LNG valves and an introduction to the 5S workplace organisation methodology.

The programme culminated at an end of year presentation at the BVAA AGM at Rudding Park where the presentation skills studied over the course could be put into practice. Each individual graduated with a crystal award to signify their achievement.

The Future Leaders Programme unites individuals from all corners of the industry, and the BVAA want to congratulate the latest Cohort for their diligence and hard work as well as extend our gratitude to Dr Martin Haigh MBE (Lattitude7) for his continued contribution to this marvelous initiative.

Published: 26th April 2019