An insight into modern engineering for sponsors

Representatives from the Worshipful Companies of Plumbers, Founders, Fuellers, Plumbers, Shipwrights and Engineers were given presentations by the Defence College of Technical Training’s Royal Naval Air Engineering & Survival Equipment School and the Defence School of Marine Engineering.

They were also briefed on the establishment as a whole by the Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan, Captain Peter Towell.

Lieutenant Terry ‘Spud’ Whittaker, Training Officer Marine Engineering, organised the visit.

He said: ‘HMS Sultan has long been established as a centre of excellence within engineering and the support provided by our affiliations with livery companies continue to play a significant role in achieving this.

‘Throughout the day, our guests were given an opportunity to see how our training continues to develop and how it ensures our air and marine engineers and technicians are prepared for the challenges they could face while out at sea.’

To complete the morning programme, phase two trainees from the engineering technician initial career course gave their own presentation called The Glorious Creation and History of the Royal Navy.

The guests were then treated to a ride aboard HMS Sultan’s Super Sentinel Steam Waggon before a special lunch within the establishment’s wardroom.

The afternoon’s programme saw the visitors enjoy visits to the Marine Engineering Museum and a look at some of the hands-on craft skills and airframe maintenance training that the establishment delivers.

HMS Sultan enjoys affiliations with a number of livery companies based in the City of London.

These companies, some of which date back to the middle ages, were originally developed as regulators for their trades and now act primarily as charitable organisations, sponsoring prizes that are routinely awarded to HMS Sultan’s trainee engineers.