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The metals industry has been
rewarded for the top-quality liaison work it carries out in
the West Midlands, one of the industry’s main centres
of activity. Metals Academy partners scooped three awards
at the Sandwell Education Business Partnership (EBP) ‘Showcase
Awards’ presented at Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens
on 23 March. The awards mark excellence in school-industry
links which have demonstrated a real impact on student learning.
The Metals Academy won the ‘Quality in
Partnerships’ award for its work with specialist Business
and Enterprise School, St Michaels CE High School. The School
also nominated Metsec plc to win the ‘Quality in Work
Experience Placements’ award, arranged through the Metals
Academy. Lucky St Michaels student, Michael Harris, 16, picked
up a cheque for £200 generously donated by engineering
company, Faber Maunsell, to reward the most promising work
experience student.
Metsec and St Michaels are partners in the Metals
Academy Black Country Industry/Schools Partnership Agreement
signed up to over three years by six local metals companies
and four schools, with support from Sandwell EBP and Sandwell
Local Education Authority. The partnership provides the Metals
Academy Work Experience Programme, arranges company visits
for students and teachers, offers teacher placements and makes
available Metals Academy ambassadors – specially trained
apprentices who help with practical projects in schools and
talk to students about their chosen careers.
Praising the work of the partnership, Assistant
Head of St Michaels, Suresh Singh, said: “We’re
delighted to be working with business and very passionate
about the Metals Academy partnership which allows teachers
and students to go on work placements in metals companies
and brings experience into the classroom. The strength lies
in the sustainability and making the commitment. We have a
particularly strong relationship with Metsec. Ambassadors
from the company come in to set up design and manufacturing
projects every week and I know if I wanted to I could just
pick up the phone to the MD or training manager and they would
help out in any way they possibly could.”
Michael Harris undertook work experience at
partner company, William King Ltd, and went on to complete
a two-week programme at Metsec. “I enjoyed participating
in the Metals Academy Programme and working in the companies.
At Metsec I worked both in the office, completing administration
type work, and on the shopfloor which included monitoring
production lines. I spent a week in transport which involved
invoicing, reviewing stock lists, advice notes and loading
lists. I also attended production meetings which discussed
the progress of the company. When working on the shopfloor,
I monitored the loading bays and the finished products. I
was placed as a contracts engineer and worked with the manufacturing
director and with wages,” he said. “It was a different
experience and gave me a good feel for all the departments
in a large company and what it’s like to work there.
Although I was slightly nervous on my first day, all my colleagues
were friendly and approachable and treated me well. I got
on with everyone there.”
The work experience enhanced Michael’s
team-working skills, boosted his confidence and helped him
decide on a career in engineering, he said. “I’m
going to continue in further education at college and broaden
my knowledge. Then I’d like to apply to Metsec for an
apprenticeship when I’m 18.”
It is a decision that Metsec welcomes. “I
would strongly suggest Michael applies for an apprenticeship,
allowing him to continue his education while gaining practical
experience,” said Metsec Manufacturing Director, David
Briars. “His enthusiastic and mature approach allowed
him to become part of the department even in the short time
he was with us, with managers trusting him to complete tasks
without having to check his work. In all the areas that Michael
came into contact with Metsec personnel they had nothing but
praise and admiration for him.
Michael is a credit to his school, his parents and himself
and we are sure he will go on to be successful.”
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