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A positive reaction
A NEW scheme is aiming to encourage more young people to consider a career in the process industry.
Chemical Reaction is a pilot project working with schools in Redcar and Cleveland to show year 10 and 11 pupils the wealth of opportunities this essential sector can offer.
A4E - a public service provider assisting adults and young people through various activities such as enterprise, work experience, advice and support - is pioneering the project, which is also supported by Redcar and Cleveland Council, the North-East Process Industry Cluster and funded by the Learning and Skills Council.
It hopes to mirror the success of A4E’s Fit For Employment scheme, which provides pupils with three weeks of training and advice on careers in the construction industry.
Fit For Employment sees participating pupils given the chance to take part physically in building projects, giving them a sense of what it’s like to be part of a workforce.
A4E education development manager Michael Glenn said: “We want to recreate that idea, but for the process industry. “Often young people just aren’t aware of the opportunities that are available in industry. But this is a great way of getting more young people to see what’s available.”
The Learning and Skills Council has secured funding for the project to run until March 2008.
Pupils keen to continue with the programme will then progress to the second stage of Chemical Reaction, due in February.
Events held in each of the schools will look at the jobs the process industry can offer, the skills needed and studies required plus an introduction to the vast array of companies in the industry on Teesside. “We will also look at career progression,” said Mr Glenn. “It’s not just about what students do at 16 - it’s showing them employment opportunities that are available as they progress through their careers. “We will also look to work with companies who will identify students they want to work with, creating greater contact between school and industry.”
For those students who decide the process industry isn’t for them, A4E has teamed up with the Evening Gazette in Middlesbrough to offer a skills programme at the newspaper’s media centre. “The process industry is an area where we need to bring in new talent,” said Mr Glenn. “Chemical Reaction is a great opportunity to give young people a head start. “Wilton on Teesside is one of many centres of the process industry in the area.”