School children and members of the local community had the chance to see behind the scenes at Stainless Metalcraft and the new North Cambridgeshire Training Centre when they opened their doors to celebrate National Manufacturing Day on Thursday 7 July.

The event was part of a nationwide Open House, organised by manufacturing trade body MAKE UK,  giving local communities the chance to see first-hand the potential careers and jobs on offer in manufacturing.

Pupils from  Glebelands and Kingsfield primary schools were invited on a factory tour  before taking part in a series of engineering challenges, led by Metalcraft’s apprentices; while students from Cromwell and Neale Wade secondary schools  also experienced a behind-the-scenes look at life at Metalcraft before concluding their tours at the NCTC, where they found out more about training opportunities available.

The day’s actives included a special, girls-only engineering activity for Year 5 children from both primary schools – building towers using spaghetti and marshmallows as part of moves to encourage more girls to consider careers in the industry. Both sites remained open into the early evening, allowing employees’ families and members of the local community to visit and find out more about the range of work and training opportunities  available.                 

Martin Lawrence, Commercial Director at Stainless Metalcraft, said:

“We were excited to open our doors and give the local community a sneak peak inside the NCTC as part of the MAKE UK’s National Manufacturing Day. As an employer with a strong commitment to growing our own talent,  we’re proud of our strong community links and keen to inspire the next generation of talent to forge rewarding, long-term careers in the industry.”

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers organisation said:

“This was a really exciting day where the whole manufacturing sector came together to celebrate the amazing things that Britain designs and makes. During the pandemic, Britain’s manufacturers stayed open to keep the country running and switched production almost overnight to make vital medical supplies.

“But this sector is agile and exciting all of the time, not just in times of crisis. Our companies are at the forefront of global renewable technology development and some of the most innovative engineering developments seen anywhere around the world. This is a sector with amazing opportunities and  this first National Manufacturing Day gave people who have never had the chance to see inside their local businesses just what is going on and the opportunities available to them.”