Dronfield students get hands-on at NLT for Made in Chesterfield
Pupils from schools throughout North Derbyshire have taken their first steps to a potential career in engineering at Brimington-based NLT Training Services.
The engineering training provider hosted groups of Year 10 and 11 students at its workshops recently as part of the annual Made in Chesterfield festival organised by Destination Chesterfield.
As part of a packed schools programme, Year 10 and 11 students from Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School spent time at NLT Training Services in Brimington getting hands-on designing and producing metal poppies, using the cutting and welding tools.
The month-long celebration of engineering and manufacturing is held each year and is designed to showcase the sector to young people, making them aware of the employment and training possibilities and inspiring the next generation of engineers.
Attending the event, Liam Anstey-Ainsworth, a Year 10 student at Dronfield Henry Fanshawe, explained:-
“I already knew I wanted to go into a trade when I leave school. I prefer being hands-on to being in a classroom. I enjoyed being at NLT and, making. It’s opened my eyes to what’s available when I leave school, especially apprenticeships and the different trades that are available.”
Ronan Moorhouse, a Year 11 student added:-
“I’ve already applied to do travel and tourism at college, but NLT was really fun. It was practical and different to anything I’d done before. Metalwork was new to me, and it was great to create something we could take away. It was good to learn more about Apprenticeships too, I know now I’d definitely look at a degree level apprenticeship if they’re available in the right sector.”
Reece Jepson, a Year 10 pupil, said:-
“I was already interested in engineering before coming to NLT, so it was really cool to do plasma cutting and welding. The actual production of something is really rewarding. I think the most interesting thing about engineering is that you’re always learning new things, staying on top of technology. I knew a bit about apprenticeships before coming here but didn’t know we had an engineering apprenticeship specialist in Chesterfield, so that’s perfect for me.”
Praising the event, Mrs Jane Tattersall – a teacher at Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School who accompanied the students commented:-
“We’ve seen the pupils’ confidence grow in just one day. They got to see working materials, and take part in some fun, interesting practical work. This shows them career opportunities that most of them hadn’t considered before. We’ve talked about Apprenticeships too, which I think is very important.”
Around 20 businesses, training providers and visitor attractions within the sector have come together to offer a packed programme of events to nearly 350 Year 6 to 13 school children during Made in Chesterfield.
Organised by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, the month-long festival in November is designed to show young people and their teachers the modern face of manufacturing and engineering and the many careers and job roles on offer within the sector locally.
Sponsored by University of Derby and MSE Hiller, more manufacturing and engineering businesses, training providers and visitor attractions are involved in this year’s Made in Chesterfield than ever before. As well as NLT, modern-day gift maker Urban Flamingo, Paul Mossman Pottery, Brampton Brewery, Penny Hydraulics, Techman Engineering and MSE Hiller were amongst more than 20 businesses and training providers that have provided tours, talks and competitions during Made in Chesterfield to nearly 350 Year 6 to 13 school children.
Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented:-
“Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “Made in Chesterfield is playing a key role in sparking young people’s interest with the sector and ultimately helping local business secure contracts in the future.
“Hands-on opportunities such as taster days at NLT give students the chance to see the many and varied job roles there are within engineering and manufacturing and how important they are to the future success of our town.”.
To find out more about Made in Chesterfield 2017’s school events, tours and workshops, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/school-events-secondary-schools/ or contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207 207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk
