Two ASTeC Graduates, along with 30 of their Graduate Scheme colleagues, have recently returned from the Tall Ships team-building event. Alex Brynes and Louise Cowie travelled to Falmouth where they were awaited by two magnificent early 18th century tall ships. As well as bonding the graduates together as a team, the trip gives the graduates a chance to practice the soft skills they have been trained in as part of the scheme - communication, leadership, problem solving and more.
Louise steers the Irene out of the harbour at Falmouth
(Credit: Louise Cowie)
Each small group of four graduates was given a 45 minute introduction to one of the three key areas of sailing, and then the professional crew relinquished the ships. The teams had to find a way to share what they had learned with the other groups, whilst at the same time navigating the ship out into the English Channel to follow a set course. Once everyone, and the ship, was up to speed, each small group took a shift to sail the ship through the night.
The following days were filled with challenges and tasks, including races of the ships themselves; a dinghy paddling race; a talent show; a navigation task undertaken in motorboats; and, the ultimate test of the teams’ commitment- a challenge to swim around the ships while they were anchored in the Channel amongst the giant jellyfish.
Alex amazes the other graduates with his card tricks.
(Credit: Louise Cowie)
After four days on the ships, the graduates returned to their desks and labs to put into practice the lessons learned on board, as well as with access to a much stronger network between the departments.
