Member Article

Engineers build skills pipeline

Two automotive component designers are doing their bit to power up the next generation of young engineers, after signing up to support a green car making club.

Steve Garrett and Paul Metcalfe, who work for Eaglescliffe car parts manufacturer Nifco, are attending Car Club, organised by Roseberry Academy in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire.

The two engineers are providing support with the building of a Goblin car – a motorised go-cart – working with students at the school as part of a club that aims to encourage them to consider a career in engineering and design.

Steve and Paul, who work in Nifco’s R&D division, will be providing hands-on support to share their knowledge with the students, who are in their final year of primary school.

Steve, who has been working at Nifco for two years, said that engagement with schools was a great way of ensuring that young people are given the insight and information about their career options.

He said: “Many people have a very outdated and old-fashioned view of what an engineering or manufacturing environment looks like and the type of work we do, so it’s great to be able to speak to young people about the roles we can offer and ensure that they get a real sense of what a career in the industry is like.

“It’s been great to support them, and to see them so excited about what is essentially engineering.”

The two engineers attended a session in November, and returned to support with a second session last week.

Mike Matthews MBE, managing director of Nifco UK and European operations manager, said: “From our side, this is about investing time into tomorrow’s engineers, and ensuring that we have put the foundations in place to ensure our future skills can be met. It’s also a great way for us to help these young people develop their engineering and design knowledge and to make the project easier for them.

“Hopefully, this kind of work will mean that – in the next eight to ten years, when they’ve finished school and are preparing to take their first step on the career ladder – they will consider making a move into our industry.”

Roseberry Academy is one of a number of Teesside and North Yorkshire schools that the company is actively working with, to ensure that young people are aware of the opportunities within engineering and manufacturing.

Teacher, Lindsay Macdonald, who has been working with Nifco to arrange the visits, said: “For young people, often experiencing something in a hands on way is what it takes to get them engaged, so the idea of building a car is a great way of getting them excited about engineering.

“With companies like Nifco in the area, with long term growth plans, we know that these are employers that – in ten years time – will be recruiting our young people, so working with them now, to ensure we grow their skills pipeline makes complete sense, and we look forward to building an ongoing relationship with the team.”

For more information about Nifco, visit ww.nifcoeu.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jess Ramsey .