The engineering group is celebrating a successful two years of the programme, which is run by ESG partner Ahead Partnership.
Sulzer has partnered with local schools within Leeds to help students aged 11–18 to develop essential skills needed to succeed and enhance their knowledge of the engineering and manufacturing industries. Thirty one events, run by Ahead Partnership, have taken place across the two years, including careers panels, speed networking, inspirational speeches, workplace visits and mentoring.
Developed to highlight the importance of STEM and the range of careers available within the sector, 91% of students participating in the programme said that taking part increased their awareness of the range of careers available in the manufacturing and/or engineering sector. The programme also aims to increase diversity in the future workforce by promoting STEM careers to female students, who are underrepresented within the industry.
In October, Matt Lewindon, managing director at Sulzer, delivered guest speeches to 286 Year 7 and 288 Year 8 students from The Morley Academy and presented them with a plaque to commemorate the partnership between Sulzer and the school. In his speech, Lewindon highlighted how Sulzer is using its technology in innovative ways to support the transition to decarbonisation including the use of Sulzer pumps for carbon capture, demonstrating the need for green skills within the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
So far in 2023, over 2,000 young people have taken part in the Sulzer Youth Engagement Programme. 75% of students said that the events increased their understanding of how to get into different careers and 68% said that taking part increased their interest in a career in engineering and/or manufacturing.
The programme has also helped enhance students’ confidence and transferable skills with 67% saying that the programme had increased their communication skills and 74% saying that it had increased their self-belief and confidence.
Sulzer colleagues have also seen positive outcomes from this partnership. A number of Sulzer employees worked with colleagues from across the business to lead workshops on lean methodology during the workplace visits. Following this, 100% of volunteers said that taking part gave them the opportunity to positively role model the world of work to young people, helping them to become more engaged with the business’s wider social value efforts.
“With the recruitment and skills challenges that manufacturing and engineering businesses like ours are currently facing, this is a great step towards helping secure talent pipelines for the future and ensure that those entering the sector are equipped with the right skills,” said Sulzer’s Lewindon.
“It is wonderful to be able to open the eyes of young people and increase their awareness around STEM careers. These are increasingly crucial roles, and we are thrilled to be able to help young people to understand the wide variety of opportunities available to them and realise the key skills they can develop to enable them to succeed.”
Faron Convey, Project Manager at Ahead Partnership said: “It has been great to see the positive impact of the Sulzer Youth Engagement Programme over the past two years. Working with a global brand like Sulzer has highlighted how highly regarded international businesses such as Sulzer can provide opportunities that could quite literally take young people anywhere.”
