Nissan has brought the world of engineering and manufacturing to life for 1,700 youngsters with its inspirational two-week Schools Engineering event.
Children from 35 schools took the opportunity to hear and learn about the world of engineering, before putting their budding skills into practice in a team challenge to build a marble rollercoaster – using paper and sticky tape.
Adam Pennick, Vice President, Manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland, said: “There is no better way to be inspired by the world of engineering and manufacturing than to see it up close, first hand.
“This is a fantastic event, which challenges youngsters to think as engineers and which helps shape their future career plans. I know, because we have members of the team now working at the plant who were inspired by the Skills Foundation.
“We at Nissan Sunderland are delighted to invest in the next generation of talent because the schoolchildren of today are our world-class automotive workforce of tomorrow. I hope we will be welcoming more than a few of the pupils who took part in this event back to our plant in the years ahead.”
The Nissan Skills Foundation, the company’s school engagement drive to inspire the talent of the future, held the event over the last two weeks.
The children, from schools across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham, were given a tour of the plant’s final assembly line, watching the UK’s best seller, Qashqai, the 100% electric Nissan LEAF and Juke roll off the line.
The aim of the School Engineering event is to inspire young people to think about a career in the engineering and manufacturing industry, giving school children the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom and advance their science, technology, engineering and maths skills.
Jess Corrigan, School Liaison Officer at the Nissan Skills Foundation, said: “This year’s event was a massive success.
“We’ve had fantastic feedback from the schools, and it has been wonderful to hear so many children saying they feel inspired to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing after taking part.”
Inspiring and motivational
Jayne Conqueror, Teacher, St Anthony’s School, Sunderland said: “The Schools Engineering Event at Nissan Sunderland Plant was an inspiring and motivational day for the children.
“It gave them the opportunity to discover the exciting world of manufacturing and engineering first-hand. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged in the activities and the plant tour, they came back to school very excited about the day.”
The Nissan Skills Foundation was set up in 2013 and offers young people from ages 9-16 the opportunity to experience the innovation and excitement of automotive design, engineering and manufacturing that takes place at Nissan Sunderland through a range of workshops and interactive activities.