Citation
(2014), "Engineering competition boosts apprentice recruitment", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 46 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICT.03746baa.007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Engineering competition boosts apprentice recruitment
Article Type: Notes and news From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 46, Issue 2
A UK manufacturing firm has run an unusual competition to boost the quality of its apprentice intake.
KMF Precision Sheet Metal Manufacturing, based in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, asked local schools to design, build and race Formula 24 cars in order to identify potential future engineers.
The competition built on the success of an earlier event, when 1,700 pupils competed to design and create a prototype mechanical clock.
The prize was the opportunity for work experience at KMF with the option to apply for an advanced apprenticeship, supported by nationally recognized EAL qualifications. EAL is the specialist, employer-recognized awarding organization for the engineering, manufacturing, building-services and related sectors. The winners also received a goodie bag full of the latest gadgets and a trophy, as well as opportunity to have their clock produced by the sheet-metal-manufacturing firm.
Gareth Higgins, KMF managing director, said: “It is vital that more young people consider a future in engineering and manufacturing. I am delighted that this competition has helped to engage students and parents and encouraged them to consider the subjects they wish to study in the future. We wanted the competition to be challenging and fun, but also to shine a light on the talented young people who could become apprentices and future top-level engineers.
Julia Chippendale, EAL managing director, commented: “Ensuring that top-quality learners apply for apprenticeships is an issue that has been identified in the industry in the past. KMFs innovative approach to recruitment has inspired talented youngsters to consider engineering careers, helping them to improve the pipeline of pupils applying to complete EAL qualifications, and ultimately an apprenticeship, with the company.
The first competition involved 16 Staffordshire schools. Pupils were given a design brief and the mechanisms to carry out the project. More than 600 clocks were submitted and 14 finalists were invited to an award ceremony.