Chesterfield students explore career options in virtual workplace tours

Virtual tours of engineering and manufacturing businesses in Chesterfield are ensuring that young people continue to learn about career options during the pandemic.
United Cast Bar foundryUnited Cast Bar foundry
United Cast Bar foundry

Tours of three Chesterfield businesses – MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar (UCB) and Woodhead Construction – have been produced as part of the 2020 ‘Made in Chesterfield’ campaign to ensure that young people do not miss out on a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workplace experience.

The films feature a tour of the UCB foundry, MSE Hiller’s workshop and laboratory and Chesterfield Borough Council’s new ‘Enterprise Centre’, which is currently being built by Woodhead Construction.

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The campaign was originally launched in 2015 in response to companies in the sector reporting long term recruitment difficulties.

Over the last five years, ‘Made in Chesterfield’ has helped introduce thousands of young people in north east Derbyshire to careers in the STEM sector.

Julie Richards, principal and chief executive of the Chesterfield College Group, said: “Initiatives like this are really important to inspire the next generation and illustrate the range of exciting careers available in science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing.

"It is crucial for employers and educational providers to work together to find new and innovative ways of showcasing the possibilities in these sectors, despite the current restrictions.

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"Learning and development must continue so we can look to the future, which is why virtual tours and interactive sessions to engage young people are so vital.

“Chesterfield College is delighted to be a sponsor of this partnership and we are proud to be playing a role in developing the skills of our local experts of the future.”

Schools throughout north east Derbyshire are now being encouraged to share the films with students and give them a virtual taste of career opportunities.

The first film, featuring UCB, is now available for education providers to download for free at www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/tours-for-schools/united-

cast-bar-virtual-tour.