Renishaw apprentices help to inspire next generation of engineers

Sixteen apprentices from global engineering company Renishaw last week attended the UK's largest manufacturing trade show to help encourage more young people to consider a career in engineering.

24 April 2012

Sixteen apprentices from global engineering company Renishaw last week attended the UK's largest manufacturing trade show to help encourage more young people to consider a career in engineering. They were supporting the efforts of the organisers of MACH 2012, to ‘inspire, prepare and motivate the next generation of British engineers', by taking groups of 14 to 16 year old students on tours of stands with the latest high-tech engineering products.

As well as tours of the exhibition halls, the initiative by the Manufacturing Technologies Association and the Design Technology Education Partnership, included an Engineering & Training Zone. This contained star attractions such as the BLOODHOUND Supersonic Car and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's unique travelling MANTRA vehicle, which gives people a hands-on experience with cutting edge engineering technologies.

Renishaw has a long standing commitment to the development of young engineers, from apprenticeships and undergraduate placements, to graduate training schemes and its own Applications Academy. It was quick to offer the organisers support with 16 young engineers at various stages of their apprenticeships, and the company also welcomed tour groups to its stand in Hall 5. The engineers included Tom Silvey, a 3rd year apprentice, who earlier this month was named Gloucestershire's Apprentice of the Year, and Roxanne Pollard, a 2nd year apprentice, who last year represented the UK at the International Science & Engineering Fair competition in Los Angeles.

Peter Bowler, Renishaw's Group Human Resources Manager, says, “This was a great initiative that aimed to plug the increasing skills shortage within the engineering sector. With so many negative myths around the manufacturing sector, what better opportunity to inspire young people than to highlight the latest high technology on show, from sophisticated computer aided design software and metal cutting machine tools, to the latest high speed products that measure parts to millionths of a metre accuracy. The aim was to show the vital role that these products play in our everyday lives and also the excellent career opportunities available.”

Renishaw is currently recruiting for 29 apprentices within the UK for its various schemes which include technical, manufacturing and software apprenticeships, plus this summer it will employ 30 new graduates and give placements to 80 undergraduates.

All images and text copyright Renishaw

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