Partnership forged to boost appeal of STEM subjects

A COVENTRY manufacturer has forged a new partnership with one of the city’s institutions to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects to thousands of schoolchildren.

More than 12,000 young people from across Coventry and the wider area will benefit as a result of the move, a joint venture between Brose UK and the Coventry Transport Museum.

Brose UK, which manufactures window regulators and seat structures for international carmakers, has agreed to sponsor a new Learning Officer to work at the museum in a bid to engage with secondary school students.

The deal will see 800 12 to 16-year-olds take part in a host of educational activities every year, ranging from working on land speed record projects and recycling materials to making new machines.

The programme brings together industry and academia to showcase how traditional processes have evolved into modern manufacturing.

It is part of Brose UK’s approach to developing the next generation of engineers and to help it hire 100 more staff over the next twelve months.

“We are very passionate about investing in skills and ensuring we get more young people interested in following a career in the automotive industry,” said Juergen Zahl, the firm’s managing director.

“Coventry was the centre of the automotive world for many years and we are slowly enjoying a renaissance, with significant investment in the car sector and a host of new technologies being developed by firms and universities across the region.”

He said the sponsorship met a number of the firm’s corporate social responsibility objectives and resonated with its apprenticeship and graduate programmes.

“We are actively looking to get involved in activities and ensure our engineers and other employees use their skills to make a difference,” he added.

The partnership has seen Mel Ballam appointed by the museum as the new Brose Learning Officer, who is now working to finalise a series of pilot sessions for primary and secondary schools starting next month.

The initial projects include:

• Learning about the design of the thrust car used in the land speed record through the creation of a balloon/soda powder car
• Celebrating the great engineering minds of Coventry by coming up with a moving machine from recycled materials and then presenting it to other groups

Frances Ranford, Director of Learning and Engagement at Coventry Transport Museum, said: “We are delighted to have one of the city’s fastest growing manufacturers on board, supporting our learning activities that aim to enthuse and inspire.

“Without their sponsorship we wouldn’t have been able to employ a dedicated Learning Officer and we now believe we can make a real impact in spreading the STEM message, especially to secondary school pupils.”

Schools are now being sought to take part in the programme.