Skills for life: Coachmakers join Kingston University and Brooklands Museum to inspire the next generation

The Coachmakers continues to deepen its impact on young people through a new partnership initiative with Kingston University (KU) and Brooklands Museum. The collaborative programme – centred on the theme Skills for Life through STEM – aims to build confidence, teamwork, and self-belief among disadvantaged students through hands-on engineering and mobility-themed learning.

Representing the Coachmakers were Chairman of the Charity Committee Junior Warden Eric Wallbank, Immediate Past Master Steve Fitz-Gerald; Deputy Chair of the Charity Committee Assistant Roger Woodbridge, and STEM Outreach Lead Liveryman Michael Malone.

A day designed to make STEM real

The day took place on 12th November where we welcomed 60 key stage three students from six schools across south Richmond and north Surrey, with a priority on young people who receive free school meals or who are in care. The aim was simple yet powerful: to give students a day of purposeful, hands-on learning that brings engineering, teamwork, and future skills to life.
Working in three groups of 20, the students rotated through a full and immersive schedule:

• Brooklands tour showcasing engineering, aviation history, apprenticeships, and the skilled roles that have shaped Brooklands over time.
• Hands-on ORIENTATE workshops led by Kingston University, emphasising soft skills such as communication, confidence, and collaborative problem-solving.
• A STIXX construction challenge run by Brooklands, connecting creativity with engineering principles.
• Coachmakers’ talks, where Liverymen share real-world career pathways and the importance of developing adaptable skills.

The staff from Kingston University and Brooklands Museum along with Coachmakers’ representatives ensured the day retained a clear focus on aspiration and accessibility – creating a space where students could see themselves in STEM professions for the first time.

The Coachmakers’ contribution: Inspiring through experience

The Coachmakers’ role in the programme was central to its impact. Eric and Steve connected with young people through authentic, relatable stories of careers in engineering, aviation, and business. What was particularly interesting and relevant was the two very different routes that Steve and Eric had into their career.

This project fulfils the need for opportunities that help disadvantaged students build confidence, not just competence. Their guidance helped ensure the day’s activities aligned with the Coachmakers’ charitable mission, rooted in enabling educational access and skills development in STEM subjects.

Post-event feedback from 47 students showed a strong positive impact. The overall experience was rated 4.49/5, with 80% giving the day four or five stars. Interest in pursuing STEM jumped significantly, with 51% rating their likelihood as four or five out of five.

Confidence and future-readiness rose sharply – from 2.72 to 3.94 and 2.69 to 3.70 respectively. Students’ comments reflected this change: “I feel more confident deciding my future,” “I’d love to be a mechanical engineer,” and “The Kingston people made uni sound fun.” Many finished the day simply saying, “Thank you – I had an amazing time.”