Both Gerald Mendes and myself had the honour to represent our Local Network in the second discussion with representatives of BG TT, Kathy Ann Baynes and Jason Look Yee.  As the Lead HR Advisor in Learning and Development, Kathy Ann provide us with a clear understanding of the BG group process in developing people into competent and successful members fo the BG family.  Their process focuses on the entire realm from STEM to Internships to Graduate Training Programme to Employment.


Their current focus is on the work experience route vs the training route and this was an area in which our LN was asked to identify areas of collaborations and provision of resources to work with BG TT's development of their personnel.  This avenue was a perfect identification for the IET Professional Registration for their managers, engineers and technicians.  Gerald highlighted the synergy of their 70/20/10 model (i.e. 70% learned from on the job experience, 20% learned from relationships and 10% learned from training) and the process of becoming registered as an IEng and CEng.


He noted that key requirements needed to be registered and that we will provide guidance and support for those persons embarking upon the path.


It was noted that they also have a focus on developing their technicians and Gerald noted that the IET's EngTech, amongst other technician registrations, would provide them with the path as well as demonstrate their level of compentency as they build competence in their staff through experiential learning.


Discussions about developmental paths from academic to registration and suggestions about incorporating existing BG TT experiences and knowledge were seen as a way forward.


One of the areas discussed was having a pilot group for this collaboration and finalising a date for the professional registration seminar, which would be incorporated into a BGTT-IET TT LN event, so that attendees would be able to understand what they can achive through becoming registered.


As part of their STEM approach in their developmental cycle, BG TT identified that they are heavily invested in this activity and have recently trained a large cohort of teachers to teach STEM in their classrooms and provide a feedback system through a children's conference to test the effectiveness of the STEM involvement.  This is where I introduced the IET's and the LN's goal for STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics) and that our visions were aligned and then discussed ways of combining activities to maximise the benefit and impact of the outreach.


It was made clear that although Art is being seen as an instrumental component for an engineer and technician, BG TT was currently focusing on core STEM activities, however both Kathy and Jason clearly understood the benefit and impact that this component has on developing a mind to think creatively and apply solutions in multiple dimensions.


BG TT promotes STEM in tertiary and technical institutions through internships and apprenticeships and noted that the schools incorporate this into the students' grades.  This is performed with mentorship and industry problems, so that the students are exposed to real problems and guided by professionals in their respective disciplines.


Our idea of going back to our Alma Mater secondary schools and promoting STEAM to the teachers and developing activities for the students resulted in Kathy Ann identifying a possible collaboration and assistance with this approach and the development of a joint approach.


The 2015 PATW was identified as one of the activities that also educates students and provides them invaluable experience and it was noted as a STEM activity.


It was evident from the meeting with Kathy and Jason, that BG TT is interested in developing joint activities with the IET TT LN, such as the seminar to promote professional registration for their members and STEAM education and activities and were interested in other events that were being planned.  The IET Women's Network event was one such item, especially as Kathy was a member of the BG Women Network and immediately noted the benefits of her group.


The next phase in this relationship involves the planning and execution of the professional registration seminar and the development of the STEAM promotions.