A Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd trainee engineer and former Haughton Academy student is giving young people at the secondary school a hands-on insight into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) training.
After becoming a STEM Ambassador at Darlington College, Connor Lishman, 22, began working with the students in an afterschool workshop to create checklist holders made from acrylic plastic cut outs, to be used at Cleveland Bridge.
The holders will improve efficiencies in the production process at Cleveland Bridge, with the checklists being stored alongside machinery in the workshop rather than being filed in the maintenance department.
STEM Ambassadors visit schools to run sessions to make children more aware of the practical application of STEM subjects. This involves creating projects where children can experience a practical learning approach.
Connor created a series of improvement projects for the scheme, which will highlight how small initiatives can make a real difference in the workplace. In addition to his role as a STEM ambassador and working as a trainee engineer at Cleveland Bridge, he is also currently studying for a post graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering (MEng).
Connor said, “Highlighting the benefits of a STEM-related career through a hands-on experience is really important to me because it can show what a great variety of careers are available. It also gives the students a sense of achievement, as we’ll actually be using what they’ve made in a real-life working environment.
“Not only will the new checklists make a great visual impact in the factory, but they will also result in a productivity boost, with the reduction of time spent travelling to and from our maintenance office.”
Gary Taylor, Head of Technology at Haughton Academy, said, “Connor is a fantastic ambassador, not only for STEM and Cleveland Bridge, but also as a former student of the school. His work with our Year 8 and 9 groups has been very worthwhile, and is helping them understand the practical application of STEM subjects and how they apply to the world of work.”