Budding young manufacturers from West Cheshire were put to the test when they recently competed in the Make It Enterprise Challenge sponsored by Essar.
The event challenged 13 and 14 year-olds from schools across Cheshire West to set up their own mini-manufacturing businesses and design, build and market a new ‘MultiLiquid’ cleaning product and dispenser for a specific customer group of their choosing.
The event is collaboration between The Manufacturing Institute, Essar and Cheshire West & Chester Council.
Lisa Andrews, Talent & Competence Development Business Partner said: “This event is an excellent opportunity for us to work with schools and share knowledge and experiences of our industry. As a key employer in the area, it was great for the students to be able to find out a bit more about our company, and to work alongside some of our managers, engineers and TTE apprentices who were part of the day.”
It is part of a series of themed challenges which The Manufacturing Institute is supporting through its ‘Make It’ campaign, which aims to attract the brightest and best new talent into manufacturing by promoting the sector as an exciting and rewarding career option for young people.
On the day, teams completed a series of tasks, each taking on job roles from managing director to operations managers through to finance, sales and marketing managers.
TTE Apprentice Nia Cunningham said: “Overall it was a really good day and was good to speak to the students from the schools about their thoughts and opinions about working in industry. As an apprentice I enjoyed answering any questions they had about what I do within the company and how I got into TTE.”
Teams were tasked with developing a brand for their company before pitching their fully costed ideas in a presentation to Essar’s John Whitfield, Inspection and Integrity Manager, Nick Blamphin, Turnaround Manager, Margaret Cheshire, Learning and Development Manager and Claire Webb, Talent & Competence Development Business Partner.
The winning team was Upton-by Chester High School, with runners-up Helsby High School.
