The aim of the open evening is to combat the emerging skills gap as part of the Nylacast Engineering Academy. In 2016 alone a predicted 96,300 new engineers, scientists and technologists are needed to replace the retirements in industry. The Academy actively promotes engineering careers across the region by engaging with local educational institutes from schools and colleges to universities.
"It is vital that more companies open doors to local schools and help to bridge the gap between Industry and Academia,” said Ian Mallabone, Nylacast Group HR & training manager. “As a business we are very passionate about supporting the local community and if we give an opportunity to just one student or even guide them to make a more decisive career choice then the work that we do with the school has served a purpose."
Some of the joint efforts and activities which take place across the academic year range from onsite careers fairs and industry work experience placements through to site tours for staff, pupils and parents as well as ‘Introneering’, a concept created by Nylacast to deliver one week placements and condensed apprenticeship tasters to students thinking of entering the world of engineering.
The partnership has developed into Beaumont Leys School becoming a feed school for Nylacast's engineering apprenticeships.Over the years this combined teamwork and drive to provide opportunities to local students has resulted in the engineering firm taking on four to six apprentices per year.
Gail Brown, education manager at Leicestershire Caressaid, "Upon asking a year 9 student at Beaumont Leys School what they would like to do after leavingschool,he quickly replied 'Work at Nylacast', which I think is testimony to the relationship for a company which would not be a household name for these students."
