Nissan has brought the world of engineering and manufacturing to life for 1,700 youngsters with its inspirational two-week Schools Engineering Event, at which children from 35 schools were given the opportunity to learn about the world of engineering, before putting their budding skills into practice in a team challenge to build a marble rollercoaster – using paper and sticky tape.
‘There is no better way to be inspired by the world of engineering and manufacturing than to see it up close, first hand,’ said Adam Pennick, vice president, manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland. ‘This is a fantastic event that challenges youngsters to think as engineers and helps shape their future career plans. I know, because we have members of the team now working at the plant who were inspired by the Skills Foundation. We at Nissan Sunderland are delighted to invest in the next generation of talent because the schoolchildren of today are our world-class automotive workforce of tomorrow. I hope we will be welcoming more than a few of the pupils who took part in this event back to our plant in the years ahead.’
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The aim of the Schools Engineering Event is to inspire young people to think about a career in the engineering and manufacturing industries, giving schoolchildren the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom and advance their science, technology, engineering and maths skills. At the most recent event, the children, from schools across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham, were also given a tour of the plant’s final assembly line.
‘This year’s event was a massive success,’ said Jess Corrigan, school liaison officer at the Nissan Skills Foundation. ‘We’ve had fantastic feedback from the schools, and it has been wonderful to hear so many children saying they feel inspired to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing after taking part.’
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‘The Schools Engineering Event at Nissan’s Sunderland plant was an inspiring and motivational day for the children,’ said Jayne Conqueror, a teacher at St Anthony’s School, Sunderland. ‘It gave them the opportunity to discover the exciting world of manufacturing and engineering first-hand. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged in the activities and the plant tour. They came back to school very excited about the day.’
The Nissan Skills Foundation, which was set up in 2013, offers students aged 9–16 the opportunity to experience the innovation and excitement of automotive design, engineering and manufacturing through a range of workshops and interactive activities held at Nissan Sunderland.
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Schools and colleges can get more information about how to get involved by contacting Jess Corrigan at [email protected].