Member Article

School visit to chemical manufacturer "dispelled the myth of manufacturing"

Twenty-five students from across the district visited a Cross Hills based speciality chemicals manufacturer as part of a new initiative from the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Airedale Chemical invited in students from Parkside School, Keighley’s Holy Family Catholic School and the One in a Million free school during Bradford Manufacturing Week, which was designed to inspire students and inform them about the potential career opportunities within the district’s vast manufacturing offering.

At Airedale Chemical, students took part in work placement days, got hands-on experience in the company’s technical laboratories and site tours to gain a fuller understanding of everything the business has to offer.

Managing director of Airedale Chemical, Chris Chadwick, said: “It was great to see so many different students over the week. They were all engaged, asking different questions and really taking in the different opportunities available within our chemical manufacturing industry.

“We were keen to show them everything from operations to marketing and sales to research and development. Many of our team have also worked in different areas to their current role which was useful for the students to hear; as long as they work hard and are passionate, there is always room for progression and career development.”

Students from Keighley’s Holy Family Catholic School visited Airedale Chemical to learn more about its neighbouring manufacturer.

Carol O’Connor, work related co-ordinator at the school, said: “Our students had a brilliant afternoon at Airedale Chemical; it’s really opened up a whole realm of career opportunities for them. It’s easy to focus on getting the grades while at school but it’s my mission to empower them with enough knowledge that they can make informed choices after they leave – initiatives like Bradford Manufacturing Week is helping us do just that.

“Thank you to the staff at Airedale Chemical who were all very helpful. Our students left with a much clearer understanding of all the different opportunities available within the manufacturing industry; the site visit has certainly dispelled the myth of manufacturing.”

Bradford Manufacturing Week is a West and North Yorkshire Chamber initiative which was first held 8 to 12 October 2018.

Airedale Chemical is a third-generation family-run company which has ongoing partnerships with schools and the local community through its social responsibility arm, the Airedale Foundation.

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