Sustainability Case studies

School pupils “See Inside Manufacturing”at Vauxhall Motors Ellesmere Port

01 July 2013 #Sustainability Case studies

As a significant employer and investor in the UK, Vauxhall Motors Ellesmere Port was pleased to support the Government-led initiative “See Inside Manufacturing” for the second consecutive year, by opening the gates and welcoming over 440 school pupils aged between 14-18 to the plant 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 aim of the day was to give pupils the opportunity to come along and experience a taste of life in the automotive industry, and gain information on what Vauxhall has to offer in terms of careers. This will then assist them in making smart educational decisions in the future.  We run successful Apprenticeship and Undergraduate schemes, the latter having received a Highly Commended Award from the National Council for Work Experience and we are investigating ways in which we can increase the impact of our Junior Operator and Graduate schemes, bringing in more talent.

Apart from exciting career opportunities, young talent can also look forward to a long future with Vauxhall: The recent allocation of the 7th generation Astra at Ellesmere Port as the lead plant not only secured over 700 new jobs and doubled the apprenticeship intake, but it also ensured production of the new model into the 2020s.

Mayoress of Ellesmere Port, Lynn Clare who attended the event alongside Deputy Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Paul Donovan; Councillor Brian Jones and Councillor 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 a number of manufacturing games and activities such as:  the beat the robot challenge, race your hand-built K’Nex car, ‘hit the Griffin’ on the cross bar challenge, super model safety gear, water treatment and testing and see yourself in thermal imaging, to name but a few. Our enthusiastic undergraduates and apprentices were also on hand to offer 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. It was great to see the pupils enjoying themselves away from the classroom and we were really able to relate to them when offering guidance and support for their future career choices”.

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