Over one hundred school pupils from across the region have interviewed ambassadors from automotive and engineering businesses at a speed networking event at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) designed to inspire them with ideas for future careers. Volunteer ambassadors from a range of businesses talked to the pupils about their job roles and encouraged them to consider careers within a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) environment.The eventwas delivered in partnership with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and sponsors,Intrepid Control Systems.
Quickfire meetings lasting just seven minutes gave pupils aged 12-14 the chance to find out about the career routes available to them and businesses were able to raise their profile with their future potential workforce.Pupils said that they really enjoyed exploring the MTI’s workshops, meeting real-life employers so they could understand the career options available to them, and also meeting women working in the sector.
Employer ambassadorGareth Ross, Technical Operations Product and Training Engineer at Toyota Material Handling UK said, “This was a very worthwhile and insightful event. I wish there had been opportunities for careers advice like this when I was at school.”
Gabrielle England, Business Development & Project Delivery Manager at MTC Ltd said, “What an interesting mix of individuals all thinking about becoming future engineers. We mustorganise more events like these because they provide focus and direction to support young people’s ambitions.
Steve Hartley, Chief Engineer – Functional Safety at HORIBA MIRA said, “If I managed to inspire just one pupil to follow a STEM-related career, then I am delighted to have contributed to this event.”
Carl Hills, Managing Director, UK at Intrepid Control Systems which sponsored the event said,”We were delighted to support the MTI’s latest STEM event and help to inspire the next generation.It was an inspiring and motivating opportunity for our team to share their own personal engineering career experiences and showcase possible career paths within an automotive network tooling company.We would like to thank all the employer ambassadors for sharing their career experiences and pay tribute to the strong participation of local schools in helping to develop STEM talent.”
Lisa Bingley, Operations Director for the MTI said, “The engineering and technology sectorsaresome of the most exciting in the UK and job roles are evolving all the time. This affects the types of job roles that are available and young people cannot be expected to know the details of these before they start making career choices. We have found that introducing them to potential future employers helps to clarify their interests at an early stage.”
The MTI is helping to create specialist skills in some of the new emerging technology areas including electrification and driverless cars. Since it first opened its doors, the MTI has welcomed over 32,000 students and delegates. This includes over 1,100 studying for accredited qualifications from a Level 1 Institute of the Motor Industry certificate up to Masters’ degrees, and over 700 following apprenticeships at all levels. More than 10,000 automotive professionals have taken part in professional development activities.
Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Chair of the MTI Operations Board, and Principal and Chief Executive North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said, “This type of event brings careers advice to life in the best possible way. Hearing about the challenges that they could be working on really inspires them and raises pupils’ aspirations.We are grateful to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and sponsors Intrepid Control Systems for helping to make this event a reality.”
