Students from Woodham School in Newton Aycliffe travelled to take part in a national competition in London on 10th July having recently graduated as ‘Industrial Cadets’ through an initiative with international healthcare company GSK. As Industrial Cadets the students have worked for a period of ten weeks with mentors from GSK, who have a manufacturing operation based in Barnard Castle, on a project called “Energise Your School”.
The project has looked at the energy issues around their schools and has combined this with activities designed to open the world of local industry to them, to enable them to see how the subjects they study at school can be utilised to solve practical everyday issues in companies like GSK, and to encourage them to consider careers in local industry.
Industrial Cadets was launched as a national initiative earlier this year by HRH the Prince of Wales and is rapidly becoming established as the major route for enabling students at secondary schools to understand what happens in local companies like GSK, and how their studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics equips them to follow interesting careers with such companies.
By working on a practical project with mentors who actually work in these industries the students can be inspired by role models who can demonstrate to them the usefulness of their studies for careers in local industry.
David Lynch, Head of Engineering, Glaxo Smith Kline said: “GSK firmly believes that the Industrial Cadets programme represents a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation about the exciting and rewarding career paths in UK engineering and manufacturing. In support of this initiative we provide talented role models and engaging activities from within our diverse organisation. The programme firmly aligns with our commitment to supporting education in our communities, and with our mission to help people do more, feel better and live longer.”
The national event was held at GSK House in London and involved the following year 9 students: Ben Alliston, Corin Lathan, Eden Hancock (photo), Emily Bussey, Meghan Cumming, and Sian Boultwood.
The students demonstrated their project ideas by the use of display stands and a presentation to a panel of judges from GSK and EDT, the charity that runs Industrial Cadets.
