With engineering facing a huge skills crisis, a pioneering new project is giving schoolchildren in a UK school mini apprenticeships to reverse the decline of young people choosing careers in industry.
International engineering firm Nylacast is continuing its IntroNeering Project, an initiative ran with Year 10 students at Beaumont Leys School in Leicester, England. It hopes that by reaching them when they’re young with an action-packed programme, the teenagers will be buzzing about engineering and more likely to opt for careers in industry.
The six participating students have just completed a five-day programme that features a condensed apprenticeship that gives the young teenagers an introduction to all aspects of the polymer and engineering industry, including health and safety, chemical engineering, technical drawing and mechanical maths.
Ian Mallabone, HR Manager at Nylacast, said: “We hope it will bridge the gap between school and industry, appealing to young minds and encouraging people to consider a career they might never have chosen otherwise. We know from our successful apprenticeship programme that young people face challenges when making the move from school to work. One of the benefits of IntroNeering is that it gives young people experience of the work environment and puts school subjects such as maths, science and English into context in a work place.”
Deana White, Technical Trainer at Nylacast, said: “There are so many different career opportunities in engineering ranging from accounts and IT to sales and marketing. Even if the youngsters that take part decide that engineering isn’t for them, by giving them a chance to see a range of real life jobs it will hopefully open their minds to the other career paths that are out there. This project gives us the opportunity to showcase apprenticeships as an alternative route to achieving qualifications while working and gaining valuable experience. Employers across engineering need young people to come in to replace an ageing skilled workforce that is leaving industry, but we also need young people because they bring new energy and ideas, which are the lifeblood of any business.”
The week proved to be an eye-opener for the six students who took part, giving them an insight into the world of work. They particularly enjoyed learning about how Nylacast components are used in industries and products where they add value.
Deana White added: “It has been so inspiring to see the dedication and efforts of the students, and we’re so pleased to be able to give back to the community and grow talent in a region we have called home for close to 50 years and which is central to our international operations.”
Nylacast, which has its headquarters and main manufacturing facilities in Leicester, is no stranger to doing its bit to tackle the UK skills crisis as evidenced by its multi-award-winning training and apprenticeship programme.