 Teenagers realised just how bright a future
career in industry can be when they visited the “Make It in Manufacturing Zone”
at Skills NorthWest, in Manchester
during November’s Enterprise Week.
Cogent showcased its new web portal www.cogent-careers.com at the “Zone”,
which was coordinated by Manchester-based educational charity “The
Manufacturing Institute” to give young people a taste of the exciting career possibilities
in modern manufacturing and engineering.
A host of manufacturing and engineering
companies, together with their apprentices, were brought together on the 240 sq
m stand. During the course of the three-day show, more than 16,000 young people
had a go at hands-on activities, including robotics, electronic badge
soldering, making aeroplanes, mixing hair gel, plastics moulding, engraving and
laser cutting.
The teenagers were tested on their
knowledge of chemicals with a specially designed quiz from Cogent. The answers,
all elements of the periodic table, could be deduced from clues about the
everyday products which contain them.
Other partners alongside Cogent SSC included McBride, MBDA, Unison Engine
Components, Aircelle, Aegis Engineering,
Chemicals NW, Identify, McVitie’s and the Northwest Aerospace Alliance.
Brian Barker, Training and Development
Manager for Unison Engine Components (Burnley),
added: “As manufacturers, we need to attract young people by demonstrating the
vast range of diverse careers that are available. We must dispel the notion
that manufacturing is boring, is all bound for China, is poorly paid and a dead
end job, when the reality is in fact the total opposite.
“We can offer careers that are well
respected, varied, and at the cutting edge of technology – suitable for people
who are receptive to new ideas.”
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