MP Stephen Metcalfe has launched a new competition aimed at budding engineers during his visit to Northern Ireland last week.

The Northern Ireland Primary Engineer and Secondary Engineer Leader's Award is a competition which will bring thousands of schoolchildren face to face with real engineering role models and experiences. It is supported by Ulster University, Thales and the Royal Navy.

Mr Metcalfe, the HM Government Envoy for the Year of Engineering, also visited some of the country's groundbreaking engineering at Bombardier, Thales and Ulster University — covering sectors from aerospace to nanotechnology.

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He said: "Northern Ireland has a rich engineering heritage and it's been fantastic to see first-hand the creativity and innovation of the industry, and the vital work being done to inspire young people throughout the country to consider careers in engineering.

"Bringing young people from all backgrounds face to face with engineering experiences and role models is at the heart of the campaign, so it's fantastic to see this in action with collaborative projects like the Clandeboye Rainwater Garden and the launch of the Northern Ireland Primary and Secondary Engineer Leaders Award.

"I have no doubt that the combined enthusiasm and expertise of the industry here in Northern Ireland will inspire schoolchildren across the country and bring about a positive change in the number of young people realising what they could achieve as engineers."

(CM/MH)