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Woodfield pupils fly high thanks to Mettis Aerospace
September 2006

Pupils from a Redditch school have taken the first steps towards a career in engineering under the wing of local company Mettis Aerospace Limited.

Girls and boys aged between 11 and 12 from Woodfield Middle School took part in “Think Engineering”, a national competition organised by the Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF).

They were challenged to create an electronic mechanical product that could be used by Mettis to promote the company at a trade fair.

The  Windsor Road firm, which makes high precision titanium components for the aviation industry, worked in partnership with the pupils to produce their entries and their preparations included a tour of the production plant and a presentation about the firm.

Their mentors from Mettis were Sallyanne Spence, a quality engineer, and Scott Hughes, business improvement leader. They visited the school on several occasions to provide support and guidance.

The national final of “Think Engineering” was staged at the ICC in Birmingham, where 12 schools entered about 40 projects.

Woodfield’s Shane Kelleher took second place in the Best Pupil category and the school also achieved third place in the Best Portfolio category.

Their entries included a cross-bow device which showed how Mettis was hitting its targets and a rocket ejector which highlighted the company’s take-off potential.

Susanne Henriksson, Mettis HR and Training Officer, said: “The whole exercise was a huge success. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience and they performed tremendously well in the competition.

“Mettis took part in the project to encourage pupils to look at a career in engineering. We were delighted to work in partnership with Woodfield School and the EEF.

“As Mettis is one of the biggest employers in this area, it is important that we help excite pupils’ interest in engineering.”

Scott Hughes said: “When we were approached by the EEF we though this was a golden opportunity to get some local children interested in a career in engineering.

“We were delighted to be able to help them achieve their very creditable results.”