Dame Allan’s Schools has extended its Dame Allan’s Connect programme for recent alumni with a visit to DME Systems, a South Tyneside-based marine and subsea engineering company, as part of its growing focus on industry-led engagement.

The visit brought together Allanian undergraduates with DME co-founder Michael van Zwanenberg for a tour of the facility, a presentation on the business and its operations, and a question-and-answer session exploring careers in engineering. It marks a further step in the development of Connect as a programme that moves beyond school-based events to provide direct access to industry.

DME Systems specialises in the design and manufacture of subsea equipment, trenchers and control systems, operating at the forefront of a highly specialised global market. For the Allanians involved, the opportunity to see the scale and complexity of the work first-hand offered a level of insight not easily replicated in an academic setting.

For Michael, the rationale for supporting the initiative is clear. “Much of school work is theoretical skill building. Being able to see how this is put into practice and its relevance has obvious benefits — I know I would have benefited from this during my school career,” he says. “Young people represent the building blocks of the next economy, both in the North East and the wider country.”

He also sees a broader regional importance. “It’s important to showcase that the North East has world-leading industries and talent, and that if students wish to remain in the region, those opportunities are available to them.”

The visit was designed to give Allanians a clearer understanding of how their academic studies translate into industry. “It gives their current studies some grounding, realism and potential motivation,” Michael explains. “It also builds awareness of the companies and industries where we have significant expertise, and the types of roles available once they graduate.”

George Nicholson (Allanian 2024), who is now studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, was among the cohort of Allanians to attend. He says: “The most valuable part was getting a direct insight into how a specialised engineering business operates.

“It was particularly interesting to see how someone with a technical background transitioned into founding and running a successful independent business.”

Reflecting on the practical element of the visit, he adds: “Seeing the actual assembly and the size of the equipment on the floor gave a much better sense of the engineering challenges than you get from a lecture. It connects the academic side of engineering with the practical challenges of running a firm.”

For Dexter Bell (Allanian 2024), currently studying Engineering at the University of Cambridge, the visit offered exposure to a sector he had not previously encountered in depth. He says: “I found it extremely valuable to gain insight into a new industry that I do not have a great deal of knowledge about. It was also very useful to speak to experienced engineers about the skills they use in their jobs, as often much of the theory you learn in university is not applied in industry.”

The visit also reinforced the breadth of opportunities within engineering. “It opened my eyes to a new engineering industry that I did not have much knowledge of before, presenting unique engineering challenges,” he adds. “I now understand even better the wide range of careers that an engineering degree can provide, as well as how interdisciplinary these careers are.”

Both George and Dexter spoke to the value of direct engagement with industry. “Opportunities like this are essential,” says George. “They make a career feel more attainable by connecting what you study with what you can actually do.”

Dexter adds: “These opportunities are incredibly valuable, and I really appreciate that the school continues to support its alumni beyond leaving. The network being created is a real asset.”

From an industry perspective, initiatives such as Dame Allan’s Connect play an important role in broadening understanding and access. “Young people’s experiences are heavily shaped by their immediate networks,” Michael says. “Being able to showcase other experiences helps develop a broader understanding of business.”

By combining alumni engagement with direct exposure to business, Dame Allan’s Connect is building a model that supports pupils, undergraduates and early-career professionals with relevant, experience-led insight.

Looking ahead, Dame Allan’s Connect is set to expand across a wider range of sectors, building on the success of both school-based events and industry visits.

Katherine Leonard, Development Manager at Dame Allan’s Schools, says: “We want Dame Allan’s Connect to continue growing in a way that gives our pupils and alumni meaningful, relevant opportunities to engage with industry. Visits like this are an important part of that — helping to strengthen the connection between education and the workplace, and giving our pupils a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them.”