CHANGING PERCEPTIONS OF MANUFACTURING IN THE C21ST AND ENGAGING YOUNG EMPLOYEES OF THE FUTURE
Engineers can really make a difference in our world and change the way we live, work and look after our planet.
Do you have students who are naturally curious, good at problem-solving or simply enjoy practical tasks? There are great opportunities in local manufacturing businesses for potential engineers of the future and many other roles too.
WELCOME to Make it in Manufacturing! Our aim is to raise awareness and appreciation of manufacturing in West Yorkshire and the fantastic opportunities in a very wide variety of businesses. Our live events in 2018, 2019 and 2022 attracted not just STEM and academically able students but a broad range of abilities. The children were fascinated and the teachers were so enthusiastic.

WE ARE EXCITED TO BE SUPPORTING THE MAKE UK NATIONAL MANUFACTURING DAY ON 26TH SEPTEMBER  2024 WITH AN EVENT HOSTED AT WEST YORKSHIRE MANUFACTURING SERVICES LTD IN BRIGHOUSE. THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS/CAREER ADVISERS TO:

  • MEET LOCAL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SHOWCASING THEIR PRODUCTS
  • SPEAK TO YOUNG PEOPLE ALREADY EMPLOYED IN VARIOUS ROLES
  • LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AND TRAINING OPTIONS

    The format will be similar to previous events with schools booking time slots to bring small groups of students who have expressed interest or who demonstrate the academic or practical skills needs in manufacturing. Please put the date in your diary. More details to follow…

Engineers are curious by nature and problem-solvers. You will probably recognise these traits in some of your students. The world needs engineers for the future to make our world a better place.

The resource can be used in registration time, in class time as part of the curriculum, in student’s own time or set as a ‘house’ challenge.

1. Setting the scene and discussion

  • Explanation of why manufacturing is important in the world and what engineers contribute. Everything you can see has been designed and made by somebody somewhere
  • Discussion about environmental issues and use of resources
  • Discussion about COVID/Ukraine and impact on global supply chain & logistics
  • Discussion about rising costs for energy and fuel

Manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to improve their products and processes to reduce impact on the environment, take out waste, save fuel and energy in all sorts of ways.

Download The Presentation

2. Show videos in registration/class time followed by discussion.

A short MS PowerPoint presentation will be made available asap to introduce the initiative.

MIIM Intro Video - Run time 3 mins - Designed to engage students with the history and the future of manufacturing in our region.

Rosehill - Run time 10mins - Demonstrates a manufacturer in Sowerby Bridge and the variety of products they make, the variety of roles and young people speaking about how they got into work.

3. Encourage students to look at the different Industry Section

During class time explore the many different sectors of manufacture, take a look at some of the many businesses that manufacture right on our doorstep.

4. Encourage students to enter the challenge either in class time or their own time

Students are required to use their teachers email as part of the submission process to meet with our privacy policy requirements. Teachers will only be contacted in regards to competition winners and potential industry opportunities.

Take the Make it in manufacturing challenge

Product design goes through three stages CONCEPT – DESIGN – PRODUCTION and that is what our challenge is designed to show. Initial concept ideas to design changes to production. They can free draw their ideas and submit their entry. We will endeavour to give feedback.

  • Entries will need to be submitted as an image or pdf using our online submission form.
    Make sure the photo/image you're upload is high enough quality for the judges.
  • Each entry will need to have ONE contact email (school/teachers email is acceptable) and this is how we will communicate the winners
  • We only ask for the child’s first name and surname initial and class for entries.
    We will ask the full names of winners to be presented with prizes as soon as possible.
  • We will ask the full names of winners to be presented with prizes as soon as possible
Take The Challenge
Submit an entry

Focus On the Problem – What exactly is the problem we are trying to tackle or design we are trying to develop? Think about it thoroughly. Maybe you might like to use a ‘spider diagram’ or ‘mind map’ to get your ideas on paper.

Imagine Possible Solutions – Thinking about the problem, imagine possible solutions that would address this and appeal to the target market whilst also being practical. New solutions are great, but also think if there are existing solutions that could be significantly improved or adapted from another industry or application eg leisure and sports, pods and glamping, theme parks

Consider your solutions – How do your new solutions address the brief? Choose the best one to move forward with.

Develop your solution – Once you have a good idea for your solution you now need to develop your idea using engineering principles. Think about feasibility, materials, sustainability & the environment, construction, safety, ease of use, durability, accessibility, aesthetics.

Describe your Solution – Now you have your solution thoroughly thought through you need to describe it to us. The better you can convey your ideas to us, the higher you will score. We would like to see: Drawings of your solution, both 2D and 3D Isometric (if possible). Describe your design and engineering decisions so we can understand them and why you have chosen them.

Tips:
• Take some time to think about the problem, a good solution is easier to develop!
• Good engineering solutions are only as complicated as they need to be to function correctly and be reliable.
• We want to see you using manufacturing principles to engineer your idea. Even if your solution isn’t the best, a well thought out design could still win!
• Make sure you describe your solution thoroughly and it is neat and tidy. The better you convey your ideas the higher you will score.

CHECK OUT THE CHALLENGE PAGE FOR THE BRIEF

Can I thank you for a fabulous event yesterday. I know how much effort goes into the organisation; not to mention the stress, but the outcomes make it worthwhile. Young people need interaction with employers because they ‘don’t know what they don’t know’ and you can never predict when that lightbulb moment will occur around a job or career choice..

“I thought the event was great, our students were very engaged and still didn't manage to get round all of the exhibitions. Thanks for organising it.”

The students enjoyed the afternoon and gained a true insight into the many different organisations and products in which they manufacture, they learnt about the technology and speed of production which was something they have not considered or had opportunity to see first-hand. One stall in particular discussed the variety of apprenticeships and staff benefits and this really made them consider this pathway in the future. The presenters were engaging and passionate about their products or technology and made it real for the students as they could identify the products in the real world and were blown away by how successful these businesses were worldwide whilst being located in or around Calderdale.