UK
Bradford based chemicals manufacturer Christeyns has joined other local and regional manufacturers for the third Bradford Manufacturing Weeks event, this year hosted entirely online.
Led by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and with primary sponsorship from Barclays, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks encourages students to take up a career in manufacturing.
Not to be defeated by the Covid-19 situation, the two-week event which opened on 5 October, was this year hosted completely online. Christeyns, along with a range of other manufacturers, have raised to the challenge providing virtual site tours, talks with employers, apprentice events and competitions.
Managing director of Christeyns and founder of the initiative, Nick Garthwaite, pictured, was determined that students would not have to pass up on yet another significant event.
“We all know young people have missed out on so much already this year and as an industry, a business community and a sector, we have absolutely stepped up to make sure we still deliver a careers experience that will make a difference to the lives of local youngsters – Bradford’s next generation of employees and employers.”
Students from more than 32 schools have been taking part over the two weeks and Christeyns has ‘virtually’ opened up its own doors so that they could gain first-hand knowledge on the hygiene and laundry business, from product design to delivery.
As part of the programme of events, Christeyns apprentice Harry Coop sat on a virtual panel of Apprentices from other companies and chatted to students about his experience at the firm, his Degree Apprenticeship and a typical day at work, Additional events included panels of senior managers from companies including Fauzia Raza, quality manager at Christeyns answering questions about their career path and also their companies.
Garthwaite commented: “I have been overwhelmed with the quality and diversity of content for this year’s Bradford Manufacturing Weeks and thank all those who have got involved. In some ways this virtual experience has opened up conversations with a wider audience and as all the content is recorded, it can be used again and again.
"We hope that it will inspire future talent who will eventually take our own industry sector, and manufacturing in general, onwards and upwards.”
Across the region the event involves manufacturers of products ranging from textiles to automotive components as well as laundry detergents, all providing career insights for students aged 14-18. This year the event also includes a competition to design a Sani-station unit, with a prize of £500 going to the winning school.
