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BAE Systems launch apprentice innovation challenge in aid of Sue Ryder Care

27 October 2008

Global defence and technology company, BAE Systems is launching its annual UK Apprentice Innovation Challenge on 29 October at Sue Ryder Care – Holme Hall in Yorkshire.  As the company’s charity of the year, Sue Ryder Care will be the beneficiary of the top innovative devices that will be created with the charity in mind.  

The unique initiative calls upon BAE System’ thousands of talented employees under the age of 25 to devise and develop devices that could practically help Sue Ryder Care staff continue to deliver expert and compassionate care to people living with conditions including Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, Huntington’s Disease, Stroke and Dementia.     

Split into two categories, apprentices can apply to respond to either a mechanical or electrical challenge.  The mechanical challenge asks apprentices to design a piece of equipment that will enable an individual nurse to safely evacuate a person with limited mobility.  The electrical challenge aims to create opportunities for people with severe physical restrictions to enjoy and partake in music therapy.  Ideas could be based around adapting traditional instruments or using new technology.  People who live with conditions including brain injury, stroke and Huntington’s disease often have restricted physical movement making many traditional instruments not easily accessible.
 
Closing date for registration is 29 November, after which the apprentices will have seven months to research, design and build their devices.  The top four teams and overall winners will be announced at a special ceremony on 31 July 2009. 

Kim Phipps, BAE Systems’ Charity Challenge Campaign Leader, said, “As one of the UK’s largest employers of apprentices, running an initiative like the Apprentice Innovation Challenge is a great way to showcase the talent we have.  Launched in 2001, the Challenge is an ideal development tool for bringing the best out of people, boosting confidence, enhancing communication skills and developing negotiation abilities.

“The charities we have worked with over the years have also benefited immensely. Such is the level that our apprentices work at that many devices are still in use today. The last campaign’s partner charity spoke about wanting to put the winning design into production. However, they were so impressed with the work of the apprentices at the judging day that they wanted to explore the possibility of putting all of the top four designs into production.”

Kim added, “I’m delighted to be working in partnership with our chosen charity of the year, Sue Ryder Care, on this year’s Apprentice Innovation Challenge.  And, I’m confident our apprentices will create lots of innovative and useful devices that can help Sue Ryder Care continue to deliver expert and vital care to people living with serious illnesses nationwide.” 

In May, BAE Systems’ 34,000 staff selected Sue Ryder Care as its UK Charity Challenge partner for 18 months, following a nationwide vote.  The company has pledged to raise £1million pounds for the healthcare charity through fundraising efforts and giving £50 for every day “spent” by employees volunteering their own time. 

Bridget Auger, Corporate Development Manager at Sue Ryder Care, said, “The Apprentice Innovation Challenge is a fantastic campaign and we’re delighted to be working with BAE Systems in this way.  Our senior healthcare team have thoroughly enjoyed working with staff at BAE Systems to determine the type of devices that would help us make a real difference to the lives of the thousands of people we care for each year.  I’m really looking forward to seeing the apprentices’ concepts being developed into working prototypes.”          

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