Vauxhall undergraduates promote schools activity at Ellesmere Port plant

UNDERGRADUATES at Vauxhall in Ellesmere Port, were tasked with providing young people with an insight into automotive manufacturing as they started their work placement at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in August 2010.

Since, they have been having a big impact on students in secondary schools and colleges across the North West.

The group designed a fun educational activity day consisting of several hands-on exercises in to raise awareness of the automotive manufacturing industry.

Doing this before school students choose options or qualifications provides them with the opportunity of another career path which could lead them to a successful and interesting career.

The group of Vauxhall undergraduates visited a first school in December last year, and since over 1,100 pupils across the North West have taken part in the activity day.

High School, the last session for this academic year, the feedback shows that all together 91% of those who have taken part now see manufacturing and its prospects in a more positive light. One pupil recently provided feedback explaining that “I liked it because I learnt more about the automotive industry, and it may give me a choice in later life”.

The feedback from teachers has also been excellent, as one career guidance teacher explained in a letter addressed to Phil Millward, Vauxhall’s HR Director: “Not only have they gained a greater awareness of the broad range of opportunities in the automotive manufacturing sector, they have also learned about the value of manufacturing to the UK economy and the level of planning required.”

The success of Vauxhall’s undergraduate initiative has been recognised across the industry as the group were invited to present at the Automotive Sector Strategy Group Meeting in London.

Subsequently, Vauxhall’s undergraduates have also supported the SEMTA stand at the Big Bang event held at London’s ExCel Centre and managed the centre stand at the Make it Happen Event in Bolton.

Due to the project’s tremendous success, undergraduates joining Vauxhall for 2011/2012 will continue to provide schools with the opportunity of the manufacturing activity day scheme.

If your school would be interested in having a Vauxhall manufacturing activity day contact Natalie Corner on 0151 350 2219.