Member Article

IHC encourages children with go kart challenge

IHC Engineering Business, the designer and manufacturer of equipment for the offshore industries, has been sparking interest in engineering as part of a special go kart challenge for primary school students from Ashington.

The company, which is based in Stocksfield, Northumberland, invited a group of 11 pupils, aged between 7 and 11, and four teachers from Central First School to build the vehicle in preparation for a go kart race organised by the Greenpower Education Trust.

The Trust, which is backed by engineering companies and education establishments around the UK, aims to advance education and interest in sustainable engineering and technology.

Utilising its production facility at the Port of Tyne, IHC Engineering Business transformed an area of the workshop into a Formula One-style construction area for the children to build the go kart under the supervision of the company’s experienced engineers.

The construction area was complete with design boards featuring assembly instructions, go kart parts and tools. The pupils, teachers and engineers spent a day constructing the vehicle.

With the chassis and engine purchased for the challenge, the go kart’s body kit and styling to make it look like an F1 car was designed by IHC Engineering Business’ Alan Conway and will be raced against other go karts built by schools at an event at Gateshead College on 25 June.

Ahead of the race day the children will also be helping to design the logos and styling of the F1-style go kart.

Alan, who had 15 years’ experience working offshore before joining IHC Engineering Business, is a fervent campaigner for the need to encourage young people into engineering.

The go kart challenge is the latest in a series of events organised by Alan and IHC Engineering Business as it strives to spread the word about engineering, which faces a skills shortage in the UK.

Alan Conway, Construction Manager at IHC, said: “It was marvellous to have these young people respond so enthusiastically to this challenge. The go kart looks fantastic and they should be very proud of their efforts.

“We believe engineering is an incredibly fulfilling career and we are doing our bit to show as many young people as possible what our sector has to offer. We wanted the go kart challenge to be as much fun as possible, which hopefully will spark an interest in engineering that they can take forward through their education.”

David Godfrey, Head teacher at Ashington Central First School, said: “The children were looking forward to this day for a long time and it did not disappoint

“IHC Engineering Business had very thoughtfully left no stone unturned in their effort to make the experience as enjoyable and as engaging as possible for our children. The boys and girls enjoyed building the go kart and responded well to the problem solving elements of the challenge.

“It is important for our pupils to experience a wide range of opportunities as it may unearth a passion in them that can help them decide on a future career. We are really grateful to IHC Engineering Business and look forward to racing the go kart.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .