Business
London Design & Engineering University Technical College: Developing the sustainability leaders of the future
At London Design and Engineering University Technical College (LDEUTC), employer engagement programmes are preparing learners to understand and contribute to sustainability efforts across leading industries. Through joint projects and masterclasses with industry professionals, students are exploring how environmental practices are applied in real-world settings. We talk to Geoffrey Fowler, CEO & Principal of LDEUTC, to find out how their curriculum is equipping today’s leaners to become tomorrow’s leaders in building a sustainable future.
At London Design and Engineering UTC, we recognise that today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders in sustainability. This year, we've expanded our employer engagement to not only complement our curriculum but to prepare our learners to champion sustainable practices in their future careers. Through projects and masterclasses with leading employers, our learners are gaining first-hand insights into the practical applications of sustainability.
In partnership with Blueprint for All, selected Year 12 learners visited the ACME London office, a leader in sustainable architecture. This visit exposed them to innovative design processes that prioritise environmental considerations at every stage, consistent with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stages. Learners engaged with professionals at various career stages, gaining insights into integrating sustainability from educational pathways to professional practice. Reflecting on learning about different projects undertaken at ACME, a year 12 learner shared "Seeing how sustainability is integrated into their projects was inspiring. It's exciting to think that we could be leading such efforts in the future.”
By connecting classroom learning with real-world applications, we ensure that our learners are not only aware of sustainability but are also equipped with the skills and knowledge to advance it in their careers.
Geoffrey Fowler, CEO & Principal of LDEUTC
Further embedding sustainability into our curriculum, our A-level scientists participated in a masterclass hosted by Ramboll, focusing on wind turbine technology. The session bridged A-Level Physics with real-world energy solutions, discussing the UN's sustainable development goals and the critical role the energy sector plays in achieving these targets. Creating a link between A-level Physics and its role in advancing sustainable energy use is crucial. It provides learners with the opportunity to understand how the topics they study can contribute to shaping a better world. One of our A-level participants explained, "The Ramboll masterclass didn't just teach us about wind energy; it showed us how what we're learning today can directly contribute to a more sustainable world tomorrow”.
Additionally, our Year 9 learners engaged in a project designing ‘Green Cities’ in collaboration with Skanska, addressing the impact of climate change on urban environments. This project challenged learners to conceptualise sustainable urban spaces through design thinking and practical applications like 3D modelling and material selection. They explored innovative solutions such as solar-powered car charging stations and green rooftop houses, directly applying their learning to solve pressing environmental issues. "The quality of thought and creativity the learners showed was impressive. They're not just learning about sustainability; they're learning to implement it," shared Clare, a project facilitator from Skanska.
Each of these initiatives illustrates how our employer engagements are not just enhancing educational outcomes but are crucial in preparing learners to lead sustainable practices in their future professions. By connecting classroom learning with real-world applications, we ensure that our learners are not only aware of sustainability but are also equipped with the skills and knowledge to advance it in their careers. As we continue these partnerships, we are confident that our learners will leave not just as graduates but as informed and motivated future leaders ready to make significant impacts in sustainability.
