College is encouraging women to be engineers and scientists
To celebrate International Women’s Day last Friday, 40 female students took part in activities at Calderdale College’s Engineering Centre in Brighouse.
In partnership with West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services, the day was designed to encourage students to consider career opportunities within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The young women, who came from Trinity Academy Grammar, were given the opportunity to hear directly from successful women already working in the sector and learn more about the courses and apprenticeships that Calderdale College offers.
Claire Williams, head of employer engagement for apprenticeships at Calderdale College, said: “We couldn’t be more pleased to be using The Engineering Centre to inspire the next generation, to demonstrate all the exciting careers they could have within these sectors and that they shouldn’t let any barriers get in their way."
The day kicked off with a panel discussion and Q&A session hosted by Claire Williams, head of employer engagement at Calderdale College. She was joined by inspirational women in the sector, spanning a broad range of job roles and at various stages of their careers.
Attendees were then given the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facilities at the Engineering Centre. This included the newly launched i4.0 Hub, which houses hightech resources and tools focusing on augmented reality, advanced manufacturing, and robotics, where small and medium size businesses can explore how digital technology can improve their productivity and increase innovation.
The day also included a range of demos in the workshops, which reflect the type of equipment found in a workplace.
This included in the garage workshop which contains all the latest diagnostic equipment and ramps to carry out lightvehiclemaintenanceand a custom-built welding and fabrication area.
Calderdale College’s Engineering Centre is on a mission to play its part to fill the shortage of engineers in the area, and to be able to offer highquality employer-led courses and apprenticeships.