Sector skills council gets school children interested in a career in manufacturing

The four new programmes will be free to schools and mapped into GCSE and A-level coursework.

Using free teaching materials provided through the Proskills schools programmes web sites, students will be required to research and design eco-friendly products for these industries using sustainable manufacturing techniques and materials.

There is also the possibility for participating schools to have access to a twinning scheme that links schools with local employers that have joined the scheme, for students to visit as part of the research and development stage.  
Students not only get hands on learning but the twinning scheme also gives an insight into possible career paths as well as potential work experience or apprenticeship opportunities for the future.

As part of the project, students will also be asked to produce designs which are then entered into  a national competition for judging. There will be an awards ceremony at the end of the academic year for each of the schools programmes where students are recognised for their work, research and detail with an array of prizes for students and for their schools.

Jo Chapman, education and schools programmes manager for Proskills, said: "We’ve launched these programmes to excite, enthuse and educate young people about the opportunities available to them as well as help find talent for the future and encourage local businesses to support their local school.

"Thousands of teachers across the UK have already experienced the award winning Proskills Schools into Industry Programme, showing students that manufacturing is an exciting, dynamic industry that provides a good career choice.  

"Over 1,000 schools and 100,000 students have already taken part in our scheme PrintIT!, which was designed to introduce young people to the exciting world of the graphic arts and printing industry." 

This article was first published on hrmagazine.co.uk