VAUXHALL opened its gates to more than 440 teenage school pupils in two days for the See Inside Manufacturing initiative.
The plant was taking part for the second consecutive year, by welcoming pupils aged 14-18 over two days.
Val Thomas, plant personnel manager, said: “To see the plant full of young pupils keen to begin their future careers was great. We always welcome the opportunity to invite young people into the plant and to showcase all the career paths that manufacturing can offer.”
The day gave pupils the opportunity to experience a taste of life in the automotive industry, and find out what careers Vauxhall has to offer.
Vauxhall runs apprenticeship and undergraduate schemes, and is investigating how to increase the impact of its junior operator and graduate schemes, bringing in more talent.
The recent allocation of the seventh generation Astra at Ellesmere Port as the lead plant secured more than 700 new jobs and doubled the apprenticeship intake, but it also ensured production of the new model into the 2020s.
Ellesmere Port mayor Lynn Clare, who attended the event alongside Ellesmere Port deputy mayor Paul Donovan, Cllr Brian Jones and Cllr Myles Hogg, said: “Providing an opportunity for pupils to gain insight into the world of manufacturing is a fantastic thing, Vauxhall does an extraordinary job in showcasing the automotive industry and it was a pleasure to see the potential of so many pupils in one room.”
The See Inside Manufacturing activity day was run by the 20 undergraduates currently undergoing a placement at the plant.
Pupils were given a factory tour of the general assembly unit and had the opportunity to take part in manufacturing games and activities such as: the beat the robot challenge, race your hand-built K’Nex car, a hit the Griffin on the cross bar challenge, super model safety gear, water treatment and testing and see yourself in thermal imaging.
Undergraduates and apprentices also offered pupils career advice including tips for their future application and recruitment processes.
Sophie Tobin, communications assistant undergraduate, said: “Our aim was to show pupils the many different aspects of Vauxhall in a fun and interactive way following on from the success of the event that we ran in October 2011.”
