BAE Systems structures engineer Zachary Carrison has told how the role played as part of Team Tempest in East Yorkshire is a “real boon” for the area.
The consortium led by the huge defence company today revealed how it will support 20,000 jobs across the UK in the next 30 years, bringing a £25 billion boost to the economy in that period.
More than 100 employees are already engaged in development at Brough, with the former apprentice telling of his excitement that such a programme of such magnitude is happening in the region.
A business case to become the next generation combat aircraft system will be made to the government later this year, and while the sovereign capability is at the core, it is described as fitting into the 'levelling up' agenda with 80 per cent of the jobs outside of the South East.
On the Humber bank, engineers are supporting what the design could look like, and Mr Carrison said he is really excited to be at the heart of it.
“As someone who is at the start of their career, it’s extremely exciting to be involved in the programme,” he said. “This opportunity affords me an insight into the early development of a combat air system, which I would otherwise not be able to see on other, more mature projects.
“Tempest is a programme with a huge potential for development of new technologies. I’m really excited to be part of the team who will leverage novel technologies to produce a world leading combat air system whilst bringing about change for the better in the aerospace industry.
“Working on Tempest has brought with it new challenges, but given the training and experience acquired across a wide range of engineering disciplines as part of my apprenticeship, I feel well equipped to tackle these challenges head on, as a part of Team Tempest.”
A former Hessle High School pupil, he worked with HETA on his apprenticeship, and is now studying at degree level through Sheffield Hallam University.
“I think it’s a real boon for our area and will hopefully draw in talent and skills from all over the UK and perhaps even internationally,” he said. “The Tempest programme is exciting for the future of the aerospace industry. It’s a huge privilege to be a part of this ground breaking project and the fact that it’s happening right on my doorstep makes me even more proud to be part of it.”
Mr Carson joined BAE Systems’ apprenticeship scheme five years ago, having always been interested in engineering and fascinated by anything that moved.
“I’ve always preferred to learn by doing rather than observing, and an apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to do this," he said. “Being able to join a team and tap into their vast wealth of engineering experience and knowledge allowed me to learn and at the same time produce meaningful work.”
On joining the organisation he spent time on the Hawk Jet Trainer and Typhoon programmes, supporting aircraft already in service, but since joining Team Tempest says nothing compares to working on the future combat air programme.
“Tempest is unlike any project I’ve worked on before. I’ve found it to be both immensely interesting and challenging. Nothing I’ve worked on previously is as fast paced and intense as the Tempest programme."
