Last Thursday, Farrat was delighted to sponsor and attended the latest round of the The Manufacturing Institute’s Make It Enterprise Challenge in Knutsford, where 12 schools from across Cheshire took part in a STEM competition to create a hygienic, efficient and profitable food factory.
The Make It campaign delivered by The Manufacturing Institute, is a STEM initiative aimed at attracting the brightest and best new talent into manufacturing and promoting the sector as an exciting and rewarding career option for young people.
Since 2006, over 30,000 young people and teachers have participated directly in hands-on manufacturing-focused activities that are proven to improve their perceptions of careers in the sector.
In last weeks Cheshire heat, which was sponsored by Farrat and four other North West manufacturers including Air Products, Coveris, Altimex and TATA Chemicals Europe, teams of 13 and 14 year-old boys and girls from local schools were tasked with establishing their own mini-manufacturing businesses in a bid to reach the 2019 Finals.
Students had to design and create a Clean Hygienic Efficient Food Factory for a commercial food manufacturer and complete a series of tasks in specific job roles. Roles ranged from Managing Director to Operations Managers, Finance, Sales and Marketing Managers.
Once their factories were planned, costed and 3D modeled, students then had to develop a sales and marketing strategy and then pitch their fully costed ideas in a Dragons’ Den-style presentation. Help could be gained from Facilitators and Customer Advisers during the day.
The judging panel included Farrat Production Leader Gareth Hogburn.
As a Fellow of The Manufacturing Institute who is trained in the latest LEAN Manufacturing principles & practices, Gareth had a great time quizzing and praising teams on their innovative design choices. All the schools showed great effort, enthusiasm and passion for manufacturing.
After much deliberation, congratulations went to Poynton High School who were crowned winners and took home the trophy of the Chesire Heat. Poynton will now go through to the final next year, to compete against finalists from across the UK.
The Manufacturing Institute – is an independent charity founded to educate, inspire and improve manufacturing companies and their employees. They deliver a wide range of high quality education, training and consultative services. For more info please visit: www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk
For more information on STEM events run or facilitated by Farrat, please contact us
