Staff from Parker in Sheffield have been involved with a mentoring project with Bradfield Technical College, which is helping to inspire young engineers for the future.
The technical college took part, alongside eight other South Yorkshire schools, in the ‘Get up to Speed’ (GUTS) Innovation and Design challenge and Parker worked with two teams, the first was tasked with designing a cleaning station for use on the factory floor and the other designed and built a Heijunka – an organiser in which work dockets can be stored in the factory.
Marie Cooper, Cutlers Ambassador and Plant Manager at Parker PEGL, said: “The GUTS challenge is such a fantastic way for young people to gain hands-on experience of designing and manufacturing a product from start to finish. It’s this kind of real life experience that employers are looking for. We were so impressed with the results which really came together over these last few days and our staff mentors have found this a very enjoyable and fulfilling project to be involved with.”
Marie Cooper continues: “This is the second time we have been involved in the Get up to Speed challenge and, just like last year, we have been very impressed with the hard work and innovation shown by these budding young engineers. There was a really high standard at this year’s competition and the whole project is about inspiring young people about the many different career roles in engineering business.”
Libbie Revitt from ‘Sweep n Neat’ at Bradfield Technology College, said: “We all worked really well together as a team, with each of us taking on different roles. We planned what work we needed to get done on the project week by week and all had a part to play in the design and in welding the cleaning station together. It was great to learn from the staff at Parker and we all feel proud of what we have achieved.”
The ‘Get up to Speed’ event, which was held at Magna in Rotherham on 20th April, was attended by 2,000 school children from over 40 schools, with over 50 businesses exhibiting from across the area. Parker was one of the exhibitors, with interactive activities on the stand generating lots of interest from pupils, including the challenge to assemble a valve in the quickest time possible – with the prize of an iPad (tbc).
One of the highlights at the Get up to Speed event was the presence of the Bloodhound SCC supercar, with its 135,000 bhp jet and rocket powered engine. The car will challenge for the world land speed record and is set to ultimately break the 1,000mph barrier, faster than the speed of sound! Many of the parts for the car and engineering were designed and manufactured in South Yorkshire.
Get up to Speed event is organised by the work-wise foundation, which aims to inspire young people about the opportunities in engineering.
For more information visit the website www.parker.com/ipd
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