News & Resources

Calsonic Kansei opens its doors to local schools to promote job opportunities for the future

14 Jun 2012

  • Calsonic Kansei opens its doors to local children as part of a coordinated national event to promote careers in manufacturing.

Throughout the months of June and July automotive companies across the UK will open their doors to pupils, teachers and career advisors to promote manufacturing in the automotive sector as part of the Government’s ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative. 

The initiative, which is supported by the UK Automotive Council, was launched across the UK to encourage young people to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) subjects in order to boost the UK’s skills base.

As part of this activity, Calsonic Kansei will invite pupils from local schools to visit its UK plants in Washington and Sunderland to participate in four half day events tailored to promote future careers opportunities in the automotive manufacturing environment.

During a morning of activities at Calsonic Kansei the pupils will have a tour of the Washington and Sunderland plants and receive presentations on manufacturing in the automotive sector. The pupils will also visit the Calsonic Kansei Production Systems Training Centre to participate in practical exercises to whet their appetite for a career in manufacturing and engineering.

Calsonic Kansei’s current apprentices will also meet with the pupils to share their experience from working in a manufacturing environment to help give the pupils an idea as to the type of job opportunities available within the automotive industry.

John Barnett, Senior General Manager for Calsonic Kansei’s Manufacturing Operations in the North East, will welcome pupils and teachers to the plant.

He said, “Manufacturing is key to the success of the region, and therefore has an impact on every one of the schoolchildren that come on the visit. We therefore need to get young people engaged in what manufacturing actually involves. They will see, that as well as the traditional image of ‘Engineering’, moving into manufacturing can involve diverse careers such as Information Technology, Human Resources, Purchasing etc.  and can bring excellent career prospects and rewards.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said, “See Inside Manufacturing is about changing perceptions of modern manufacturing and showing young people, teachers and careers advisers that the industry offers interesting and rewarding job opportunities.

 “I’m pleased that Calsonic Kansei will be opening their doors to help represent the automotive sector, and dispel outdated perceptions of manufacturing. I encourage people to come along and see for themselves what exciting opportunities exist.”

 James Davies, Chairman of Calsonic Kansei in Europe supported the events taking place, and said, “I am delighted that we have been invited to take part in this national initiative as we need to actively change the perception that our young people have of the UK Manufacturing Industry to ensure that it is successful for future generations. This initiative will also enable us to assist educational establishments in promoting STEM subjects which are key to improving our national skills base. I have now worked in the Automotive sector for 26 years and I can testify that it is an amazing and dynamic industry which can offer a vast range of opportunities and experiences to our young people. We hope that by showcasing our manufacturing operation we can excite the next generation to pursue STEM subjects in education and consider a chosen vocation in manufacturing.”

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