More than 90 school pupils from across the region have interviewed around 30 ambassadors from 14 automotive and engineering businesses at a speed networking event at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) designed to inspire them with ideas for future careers. Volunteer ambassadors from a range of businesses including HORIBA MIRA, Polestar and Triumph talked to the pupils about their job roles and encouraged them to consider careers within a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) environment.
Quickfire meetings lasting just seven minutes gave pupils aged 12-14 the chance to find out about the career routes available to them and businesses were able to raise their profile with their future potential workforce. Pupils, including those from Midland Academies Trust schools, said that they really enjoyed exploring the MTI’s workshops, meeting real-life employers so they could understand the career options available to them, and also meeting women working in the sector.
Polestar ambassador Minodora Daniela Letinu said, “I received so many interesting questions from the pupils that impressed me about how smart they are already at this age. It was exciting to hear about what they are interested in and about their career plans.”
Lisa Bingley, Operations Director for the MTI said, “The engineering and technology sectors are some of the most exciting in the UK and job roles are evolving all the time. This affects the types of job roles that are available and young people cannot be expected to know the details of these before they start making career choices. We have found that introducing them to potential future employers helps to clarify their interests at an early stage.”
The MTI’s unique Skills Escalator is the first of its kind in the UK where students and delegates can progress naturally through the levels within the same institution. Since it first opened its doors, the Institute has welcomed over 42,500 students and delegates. This includes over 3,100 studying for accredited qualifications from a Level 1 Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) certificate up to Masters’ degrees, and over 850 apprenticeships at all levels. More than 17,100 automotive professionals have taken part in professional development activities.
Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Chair of the MTI Operations Board, and Principal and Chief Executive North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said, “This type of event brings careers advice to life in the best possible way. Hearing about the challenges that they could be working on really inspires them and raises pupils’ aspirations. We are grateful to all the businesses whose ambassadors took part and helped to make this event a reality.”