QINETIQ'S ENGINEERING APPRENTICES BLOOM AT THE SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

The Mayor of Amesbury, Dennis Brown unveiled an eight metre sculpture of a common mallow flower designed and constructed by apprentices from QinetiQ's Engineering Training Centre at MOD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire on 24th June, at Solstice Park. The sculpture is visible from the busy A303 and a yew tree bench, which has been created with children from Stonehenge School, provides a different perspective on the sculpture and surrounding area for people to enjoy. A Samba group from Stonehenge School also played at the unveiling.

Working with local artist Charlotte Moreton the apprentices conceived the idea of the Common Mallow, found extensively at Solstice Park, which ties in with the Salisbury International Art Festival's 2008 theme of 'vegetation'.

Commenting on the project, Paul Whitelegg, QinetiQ's Operations Director Flight Engineering Services and Head of Site Boscombe Down said: "I am really proud of what our 11 apprentices have achieved. Over the last 8 months they have taken their artistic design from concept through to finished sculpture. With support from my team at Boscombe Down, they have come up with practical and creative solutions to technical difficulties and proved excellent project managers from start to finish. This is the second piece of art produced by QinetiQ apprentices in partnership with Charlotte and the Festival and it's proving a great development project for them to enhance their skills."

This year's sculpture is the latest to be installed at Solstice Park in a three year project, which last year saw 'The Dragonfly' land at the site. 'The Dragonfly' went on to win three prestigious regional Arts and Business Awards and it will be judged in the national finals later this year.

Jo Metcalf, Festival Director said: "The success of last year's 'Dragonfly', which has created a distinctive landmark for local people, has really inspired the team on 'The Mallow' project. It is a fantastic opportunity for the Festival to engage with a number of local businesses and to bring the arts into the world of engineering."

Alexandra Spencer, Marketing Executive at Solstice Park added: "Once again, Solstice Park was keen to be involved with this innovative project, which is an exciting opportunity to site another piece of public art, designed and engineered by local people, at the 160-acre business park development. The sculpture team is extremely grateful to the local companies which supported the installation, these included Abbey Manor Group, Signs in Motion, King Lifting and B & E Erection Services".

The QinetiQ apprentices complete a three year course at the Engineering Training Centre which includes extensive practical experience. On completion of the course in September 2008, this year's apprentices will graduate as Advanced Modern Apprentices in Aeronautical Engineering, which includes a City and Guilds Technical Certificate 2661 Level 3 and a NVQ level 3 in Aeronautical Engineering Maintenance.

The Engineering Training Centre has been in operation at Boscombe Down since 1969. Currently, there are approximately 50 apprentices undertaking training across years 1, 2 and 3 of this 3 year scheme. From September 2008, the intake for apprentices is being increased to 30 a year.