2,000 students set to benefit from world class factory visits
Over 2,000 students from across the West Midlands are set to receive an interactive insight into lean manufacturing, ‘six sigma’ and ‘kaizan’ thanks to the continued roll-out of the Inside Manufacturing Enterprise (IME).
The educational visit programme has reinforced its commitment to getting young people into industry by launching its next year of activity at Yamazaki Mazak UK in Worcester. IME offers a unique opportunity to see manufacturing by touring some of the best factories in the world. Co-ordinated by Coventry University Enterprises on behalf of the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands (WSM), the initiative is a fantastic way for students and teachers to see how companies operate in the 21st century, the skills involved and the career opportunities available to them.
Michelle Connors, of IME, commented: “We are currently seeing a major skills shortage in manufacturing, so there is a genuine need to showcase the sector as a viable and potential source of employment. Since launching in 2003, we have helped over 2000 students and teachers and enlisted support of more than 40 companies.”
She continued: “It is fantastic that we can celebrate our fifth birthday with the news that Advantage West Midlands are continuing to fund the project and that, importantly, we are going to stage 180 unique visits, involving 100 schools and over 2000 budding engineers over the next three years.”
The latest event at Yamazaki Mazak was used to highlight the importance of the Inside Manufacturing Enterprise programme and featured addresses from the host company and David Wright, chief executive of the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands. Five schools, including Cockshut Hill College in Yardley, also shared the knowledge and experiences they have gained from taking part in the initiative.
“We have been working with Yamazaki Mazak for five years and it is a great supporter of developing young talent,” added Michelle. “Its factory, the first Japanese machine tool building facility to be built in Europe, is currently the most advanced of its type and provides machine tools and sophisticated manufacturing systems to customers in more than 30 countries. A perfect venue to kick-start the next year of activity!”
The IME provides an excellent resource for students and staff involved in manufacturing, engineering, design and technology courses, not to mention directly supporting the new specialist diplomas due to be implemented in September this year. All the companies taking part are leaders in their field and the visits are structured in line with the curriculum, with students able to experience work related learning, knowledge of production methods, first hand insight into the latest engineering processes and information on careers and pathways. Manufacturing specialists also provide teaching input during every tour, which is already proving invaluable.
WSM’s David Wright added his support: “The existing workforce is getting older and we have to do everything we can to put manufacturing on the educational radar and encourage young people to consider it as a career.”
He concluded: “Changing perceptions and creating a more positive image of industry is essential and there is no better way of doing this than by taking pupils into world class factories and letting them judge for themselves what the sector is like.”
