EMPLOYERS


ELECTRONICS GIANT STEPS UP TO THE STEM CHALLENGE


Focused on unlocking potential in students from school to university, TDK-Lambda aims to retain local talent for its workforce.


T


DK-Lambda UK, based in Ilfracombe, North Devon, is living up to its company focus of ‘Attracting Tomorrow’ by supporting STEM education in a wide and ever-increasing range of ways.


“We first started supporting young people in STEM programmes back in 2013,” explains Phil Scotcher, the company’s joint managing director and chairman of the North Devon Manufacturing Association (NDMA).


“This was initially with a single STEM Ambassador through a


programme run by the Engineering Development Trust (EDT). Today our involvement with STEM stretches much further and involves a team approach.


“Engineers, STEM Ambassadors and staff all work together to engage in a range of activities with local schools and colleges.” TDK-Lambda works directly with students through a variety of


programmes. These include the Young Enterprise Scheme, Big Bang activity, work experience programmes, Year in Industry (YINI), summer student placements, Arkwright Trust student sponsorship programmes, Teacher Insight work placements, group factory tours, careers talks in schools, and work specifically with girls through the People Like Me initiative. It is also involved at a strategic level, sitting on local STEM steering groups and employer boards. Anne Sutton, TDK-Lambda’s training and development officer,


oversees and co-ordinates the company’s activities across these programmes. “From school to university we aim to provide experiences that go far beyond the classroom – unlocking potential, widening horizons and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians,” she says. “Our involvement with STEM brings many benefits for all parties, it raises our profile in the local community, and develops our staff skills while developing stronger community links. “Long term it helps us retain local talent for future workforces and ultimately will ensure a bright, successful and prosperous future for everyone involved.”


KEY FACTS TDK-Lambda UK is Britain’s largest designer and manufacturer of AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies. It is a group company of TDK Corporation.


The North Devon Manufacturing Association works with education and training providers and careers specialists to promote the development of skills within the current workforce and the next generation of engineers and manufacturing specialists.


14 AUTUMN 2018 • inTUITIONTECHNICAL TEACHING


GET INVOLVED IN THE YEAR OF ENGINEERING


A career in engineering offers young people the opportunity to shape the future of the world we live in. Yet there is an annual shortfall of 22,000 engineers, impacting UK productivity and growth. Additionally, the engineering workforce is 92 per cent white and 88 per cent male. The government’s Year of Engineering 2018 aims to address this talent gap. The campaign is working with a range of more than 1,400 partners to challenge misconceptions about engineering. Colleges and universities have joined


industry and others in opening their doors to showcase their work to inspire future scientists and engineers. The campaign’s website also provides a


‘go to’ resource section, which has had more than 11,000 visits since it launched in March. The one-stop shop includes:


• Resources, including videos, relating to inspiring applications of engineering


• Easy-to-use, curriculum-linked lesson plans tested by teachers


• High-quality resources from some of the world’s most recognisable and aspirational brands (Google, FIFA, LEGO, the Science Museum)


• A diverse range of featured engineers to give young people relatable role models


• Inspiration beyond the classroom, with a wealth of STEM experiences offered by local engineering organisations and employers, from guided tours to webinars and mentoring programmes


• An interactive map to search engineering activities by postcode for interesting trips. Providers and practitioners can support the campaign by uploading their own events and activities to the Year of Engineering website: www.yearofengineering.gov.uk/inspired


RESOURCES FOR THOSE STUDYING BELOW LEVEL 2 A range of resources has been produced by the Learning & Work Institute for the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) to support employer engagement in the provision of courses below level 2. There are three publications titled Effective Practice


in Employer Engagement for 16/17 Year Olds Studying Below Level 2: a research findings report, a guide for providers and case studies. See the article in the ETF News section, posted on 4 July, 2018.


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