Michelin introduces students to the world of engineering
21 Oct 2013
Michelin is opening the doors of its Ballymena production plant to students as part of an initiative to encourage young people to consider careers in manufacturing.
On October 22 and 24, the factory, which employs about 1,000 staff and produces bus and truck tyres, will offer students a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process.
Visitors will speak to Michelin engineers and experts on the shop floor about what is involved in the tyre-making process, before taking part in interactive tasks.
Pupils from 11 Ballymena and Antrim schools and colleges will take part in tours of the site over the two days, as well as competing to design an innovative product which will be judged and assessed by Michelin. The winning entry will receive a cheque from the company to go towards school funds.
On Thursday morning, they will be joined by a Member of the Local Assembly and representatives from Ballymena Borough Council, who will observe the workshops. The event forms part of a government drive, backed by Business Secretary Vince Cable, which encourages school children to visit factories across the UK. The initiative, which was launched in 2011 by the UK Automotive Council, with the support of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, is called ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ and aims to help create an additional 250,000 apprenticeships in the UK.
John Milsted, Factory Manager at Michelin, said, “If Northern Ireland is to thrive, it needs to promote jobs in the manufacturing sector and the See Inside Manufacturing event is one way of doing this.
“The image of manufacturing is changing for the better, but there are still many young people who don’t appreciate the variety, challenges and rewards offered by companies like Michelin.
“Events like this are really important in helping to nurture Ballymena’s next generation of engineers. Showing young people first-hand what is involved in the manufacturing process can help ignite a passion that can lead to a long-term and rewarding career.
“This is the third year we have taken part in the See Inside Manufacturing scheme, and we view it as a vital way of raising awareness of the range of employment opportunities that exist within the manufacturing sector, not least of all in an organisation such as Michelin.”
Michelin’s other sites in Dundee and Stoke are also involved in this year’s event.
Michelin introduces students to the world of engineering
21 Oct 2013
Michelin is opening the doors of its Ballymena production plant to students as part of an initiative to encourage young people to consider careers in manufacturing.
On October 22 and 24, the factory, which employs about 1,000 staff and produces bus and truck tyres, will offer students a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process.
Visitors will speak to Michelin engineers and experts on the shop floor about what is involved in the tyre-making process, before taking part in interactive tasks.
Pupils from 11 Ballymena and Antrim schools and colleges will take part in tours of the site over the two days, as well as competing to design an innovative product which will be judged and assessed by Michelin. The winning entry will receive a cheque from the company to go towards school funds.
On Thursday morning, they will be joined by a Member of the Local Assembly and representatives from Ballymena Borough Council, who will observe the workshops. The event forms part of a government drive, backed by Business Secretary Vince Cable, which encourages school children to visit factories across the UK. The initiative, which was launched in 2011 by the UK Automotive Council, with the support of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, is called ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ and aims to help create an additional 250,000 apprenticeships in the UK.
John Milsted, Factory Manager at Michelin, said, “If Northern Ireland is to thrive, it needs to promote jobs in the manufacturing sector and the See Inside Manufacturing event is one way of doing this.
“The image of manufacturing is changing for the better, but there are still many young people who don’t appreciate the variety, challenges and rewards offered by companies like Michelin.
“Events like this are really important in helping to nurture Ballymena’s next generation of engineers. Showing young people first-hand what is involved in the manufacturing process can help ignite a passion that can lead to a long-term and rewarding career.
“This is the third year we have taken part in the See Inside Manufacturing scheme, and we view it as a vital way of raising awareness of the range of employment opportunities that exist within the manufacturing sector, not least of all in an organisation such as Michelin.”
Michelin’s other sites in Dundee and Stoke are also involved in this year’s event.
For more information on Michelin, visit: www.michelin.co.uk or for more information on the See Inside Manufacturing initiative, visit: http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/seeinsidemanufacturing/.