Teenagers get insight to apprenticeships
1 min read
With this week (23-27 February) being designated National Apprenticeship Week, teenagers in the north west have been taking a look at the work of local apprentices first hand.
They joined in fun activities at the Make It in Manufacturing zone at the recent Skills NorthWest careers event in Bolton, where a number of girls, who account for less than three per cent of the country’s engineering apprentices, witnessed the range of interesting and exciting opportunities available to both sexes.
Thousands of teenagers from across the region were given a valuable insight into these jobs when they joined apprentices and other staff from 14 top manufacturing and engineering businesses.
Make It in Manufacturing is a campaign led by The Manufacturing Institute and its industry partners to encourage the next generation of talent to consider careers in industry.
The young visitors had the chance to have a go at hands-on activities, including taking a 3D journey through a jet engine, then designing an engine and testing its performance in virtual flight, plastic moulding, mixing hair gel, making metal aircraft, soldering badges, laser-cutting key-rings and creating bags.
Sid the robot helped Jaguar Land Rover demonstrate the hi-tech world of manufacturing and engineering, while Hyde-based Martin Conquest showcased its innovative high performance motorcycle, which can be driven from a wheelchair. Recruitment business Kinetic plc tested the teenagers skills and knowledge with a Who Want’s to be a Millionaire contest - manufacturing style, and meat processing company Dunbia took to the stage for a cook-off.
Other partners involved in the zone included Aegis Tailored Protection, Aircelle, BAE Systems, Chemicals Northwest, Cogent, MBDA, McBride, Northwest Aerospace Alliance, Optare, Unison Engine Components and the University of Manchester Aerospace Research Institute.
