UWTSD hosts Aviation Engineering Industry event

24 March 2023

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) invited speakers from the Aviation Engineering industry to attend an event at our IQ building in Swansea for current students and pupils from Cefn Saeson Comprehensive in Neath.

Flight Lieutenant Jack DeSchoolmeester, Major Rosette Clarke-Morton, UWTSD Electrical / Electronic Engineering graduate Carys Williams, a pupil from Cefn Saeson Comprehensive in Neath and Patricia Mawuli Porter OBE are standing in a classroom in front of four banners.

Aiming to inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM and with a particular focus on women in aviation to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), the event was headlined by Patricia Mawuli Porter OBE, an Engineer based at Haverfordwest airport and co-owner of light aircraft company Metal Seagulls.

The event was supported by UWTSD’s MADE Cymru project, which champions the upskilling of manufacturers in Wales and has previously collaborated with Metal Seagulls. This project is funded by the EU through the Welsh Government.

Patricia now builds aircraft from a hangar at the west Wales airfield with her husband, but originally came from a village in Ghana where she first discovered her passion for aviation.

Patricia’s determination eventually got her a job at Kpong Airfield in Ghana despite being turned down at first ‘because she was a woman.’ Now a mother and company-owner, Patricia’s desire to elevate others hasn’t changed, and she provides internships and work opportunities to local people through Metal Seagulls.

She is the first female Ghanaian certified pilot, aircraft engineer, teacher and trainer and the only female qualified to build Rotax Aircraft Engines.

Patricia said: “It is always a pleasure to share my passion for STEM, young people, engineering, and aviation. The UWTSD presentations for IWD 2023 were exceptional. Speaking alongside such high calibre individuals, and with such a wonderful audience was a pleasure. I hope that my story will function as a fulcrum upon which young people may leverage their own success in STEM careers. Remember, the only difference between success and failure is hard work, passion and determination.”

Carys Williams, a UWTSD Electrical / Electronic Engineering graduate who now works for Metal Seagulls, also spoke about her journey as a woman in STEM.

Carys said: “Being able to speak and influence young people to realise that STEM is important is a must do nowadays. Most people do not realise that most of the activities they do in everyday life uses a form of STEM.

“It’s important for young people to realise that if they do not conform to the ‘norm’ it does not matter. They are the ones that will be breaking the barriers for the future generation.”

Major Rosette Clarke-Morton, who has been in the US military for 16 years, shared her journey, which has taken her around the world, deployed in support of military operations. She has enjoyed a multifaceted career working in intelligence, security, aviation, and law enforcement.

Major Clarke-Morton is currently assigned to the 14th Signal British army Regiment as a senior exchange officer in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire.

Patricia Mawuli Porter OBE is standing in front of a screen delivering a presentation.

Flight Lieutenant Jack DeSchoolmeester gave a presentation about working as an engineer for the Red Arrows, one of the world’s premiere aerobatics display teams.

He said: “It is hugely important that we encourage young adults to engage in STEM. I am delighted to have been able to represent the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows in Swansea, my hometown, to highlight how we incorporate STEM in our day-to-day activities. It was an honour to speak amongst such a talented panel of Women on National Women’s Day and highlight the achievements of Women we have on the Red Arrows.”

The event explored universal themes of breaking down barriers in order to achieve success and highlighted some achievable career pathways for the students and schoolchildren in attendance. It was part of a series of events across west Wales celebrating the aviation industry including a competition being run by Haverfordwest Airport for International Women’s Day.

Abi Summerfield, senior lecturer at UWTSD said: “Thinking about why IWD is important, it’s a particular challenge to recruit girls into STEM. Science does well at nearly 50/50 split but engineering and computing lag a long way behind and so we need initiatives and occasions like IWD to raise awareness and help us work towards breaking down both genuine and perceived barriers to increase the female workforce for all areas but particularly those where the deficit endures.”