Algram Group Ltd and Coombe Dean School working together to inspire young engineers
27th March, 2017Algram
Group Ltd and Coombe Dean School working together to inspire young engineers
Coombe Dean science teacher, Andy Emerson gave up the day
job to spend a week with plastics components and assemblies company Algram
Group Ltd, as part of the ‘futureworks’ programme.
Futureworks is run in Plymouth by the Plymouth
Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) and is part of the Plymouth and South West Peninsula
City Deal. It was set up to help challenge stereotypical misconceptions young
people tend to have about working in the manufacturing and engineering sector.
Secretary of Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group, Steve Gerry
said: “We know teachers are capable of strongly influencing a young person’s
choice of career direction and so for PMG, using futureworks to bring local
schools and businesses together was a logical step.“
Local firms are taking individual teachers often from a STEM
background (Science, Technology Engineering & Maths) and giving them a
week’s exposure to working in a modern-day manufacturing and engineering
facility.
Because of what they see and learn through the week,
teachers become strong advocates for the sector and PMG expects that this will
have an enduring effect both on them and critically, the pupils they then
teach.
Andy’s period of work experience took place during a school
holiday, which is unusual and not something that every teacher would
necessarily be prepared to undertake. Normally, schools need to find supply
cover for the teacher who is out on secondment. To help offset this additional
cost, the PMG through the Peninsula City Deal make a donation, which is given
direct to the school for them to decide how best to use.
Algram designed a work experience programme for Andy that
took him through the company’s production line as well as providing an overview
of the whole company operation.
Andy began his working career in the chemical industry so
wasn’t new to the factory floor. What he wasn’t so prepared for was just how
much things have changed since he became a teacher.
Andy said: “I’ve been a science teacher for twelve years and
in that time I’ve heard all the misconceptions that students have about working
in a factory or careers in industry.
“Before I started, I asked my tutor groups what they thought
about working in industry. Invariably they came out with the same things – its
dirty, noisy and repetitive. The reality couldn’t be more different - the
factory floor is immaculate and the whole process is extremely skilled. It has
been an eye-opening experience.
“During my week at Algram, I was shown every aspect of the
company’s operations from health and safety and human resources right through
to injection moulding, tool setting, robotics, computer aided design and
assembly. I met managers, team leaders and operators, some having joined the
company as young apprentices. One in particular had worked his way up into a
leadership role, while continuing at college working through his NVQ
qualifications.
“One thing that really stood out was how highly skilled
everyone was in each trade, it was really impressive. Everyone working there had
a range of skills that could take them around the world if they wanted. It’s
too easy to overlook the opportunities on offer to students who choose to take
the vocational route rather pursue academic subjects.
“Ideally I’d want to see our students able to go into
companies like Algram on work placements so they can find out for themselves
what’s on offer. That’s what would have the most impact on them.
“I’m now in a really strong position to talk to my tutor
groups about engineering and what doors it can open for them, as well as the
transferable skills they can learn - particularly for those whose strengths lay
in the more vocational subjects. I’m also looking forward to busting a few of
those misconceptions and encouraging them to think differently about their
futures.
“As a school, we’ve invited Algram to take part in our
Employability Fair, so they can talk to our students and their parents about
engineering and the opportunities for good careers and career progression they
present.
“I would love to see this as the beginning of a long lasting
partnership between Coombe Dean and Algram.”
Catherine
Harris, Managing Director of Algram Group Ltd said she was very pleased with
Andy’s positive comments about his experience during his week at Algram, and
the fact that he will be able to share his new-found knowledge with his
students and expel the adverse myths surrounding the manufacturing industry.
Catherine
stated: “We are delighted to be given this is exciting opportunity to work with
a local school in order to promote manufacturing and engineering as a genuinely
rewarding and diverse career choice for the young talent of the future.
“We have
been running a very successful Apprenticeship Scheme at Algram, which has
produced some excellent engineering staff who are making significant
contributions to the business. By
employing apprentices and other young people, we can ‘home grow’ our own talent
to help develop the specialist skills we need to keep pace with the latest
technology and working practices in our sector.
It is therefore crucial
for us to continue to encourage young people into manufacturing and engineering
in order to move the business forward and achieve its long term
objectives and sustain a competitive advantage within the global manufacturing
industry sector.”
Algram have
been actively supporting work experience placements for local students over the
years and will to continue this arrangement with Coombe Dean pupils to provide
them with an insight into the industry.
Catherine
continued: “We would also like to offer Andy the opportunity to visit Algram
with his students to have a tour of our facilities which may assist him with
bringing manufacturing to life.”
Across the south
west, the manufacturing, marine and engineering sectors provide careers and
apprenticeships that are more rewarding and better paid.
Futureworks is a
£250,000 programme that aims to challenge many of the misconceptions
surrounding manufacturing and engineering and encourage young people to look
again at the advantages taking STEM subjects can give them.
Working with local
companies and their neighbouring schools, the scheme provides opportunities for
young people to see how STEM subjects prepare them for the working world in
their area and beyond – from design to manufacture and including site visits,
teacher opportunities and a range of other challenges and activities.
Funded through the
Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal, five partner organisations will
reach 10,000 young people and 10,000 employers before the project completes in
May 2017. Partners include the Cornwall
Manufacturers Group, Cornwall Marine Network, North Devon +, Plymouth
Manufacturers’ Group and the Torbay Development Agency.