Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recently visited East Preston Infant School as part of the Company’s commitment to the Government-led ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative. The programme encourages manufacturers to engage with children and young people to inspire future British manufacturing talent and showcase career opportunities in the UK manufacturing sector.
More than 60 first year pupils, aged between five and six years old, enjoyed learning about how the Company’s super-luxury motor cars are created and also had the opportunity to experience a Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase at first hand. Questions were encouraged throughout the visit, particularly those linking to the current term topic of ‘Cinders’; the children concluding that modern-day Cinderella would indeed travel to the Ball in a Rolls-Royce!
The visit was especially important as it recognised the school’s new ‘Fine Motor Mechanics’initiative, launched at the beginning of the current term. The unique after-school club aims to improve ‘fine motor’ co-ordination skills – actions that strengthen muscles to help with activities, such as writing and improve hand-eye co-ordination – using the mediums of mechanics and engineering. The pupils, dressed for the part in overalls and hard hats, undertake a range of fun and creative activities. The initial results are very encouraging, with participating pupils responding positively.
The ‘Fine Motor Mechanics’ team were given a personal tour of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase by Tom Lejasmeiers, who joined the Company as an Engineering Technician Apprentice in 2010. Tom successfully completed his apprenticeship in 2014 prior to joining the Analysis department as a valued member of the team. Tom tackled a range of challenging questions and took time to talk about the leading-edge technology behind many of the car’s unique features, such as the Bespoke Starlight Headliner.
Helen Cordell, Apprentice Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “We were delighted to support a local school as part of the ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative. The response from the pupils and particularly their interest in manufacturing was fantastic.” She continued, “We encourage our apprentices to take part in these activities, with two from the current programme – from the Woodshop and Leathershop – joining the team at East Preston Infant School.”
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has recently announced that the Company is seeking a record number of candidates for its 2015 Apprenticeship Programme. Sixteen places are available, the highest number of annual apprenticeships since the programme launched in 2006. The Programme provides people aged 16-24 with the opportunity to train with the Goodwood-based manufacturer of the world’s best-selling super-luxury cars. The successful applicants will join the programme in September 2015, working alongside skilled craftspeople in leather, wood, paint, engineering and assembly roles.
