Recycling message encourages young scientists
An
Axion Recycling product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jun 2, 2008
Axion Recycling's CDs accompany A-Level and Key Stage 3 textbooks and are designed to encourage students' interest in the application of chemistry in the wider world.
Axion Recycling is taking the plastic recycling message into schools by appearing in two training CDs aimed at inspiring more than 500,000 11-year-old and A-Level chemistry students in the UK to pursue science-based careers.
The interactive learning aid features Commercial Director Roger Morton explaining various recycling and polymerisation processes at the company's purpose-built facility at Salford.
The plant produces high-grade polymers from mixed small WEEE, fridge and monitor plastic.
Produced by MTJ Media on behalf of Pearson Education, the CDs accompany A-Level and Key Stage 3 textbooks and are designed to encourage students' interest in the application of chemistry in the wider world.
From an employer's viewpoint, Roger hopes it will prompt more young people to consider a future career in the chemical and processing industries, particularly given the current shortage of skilled chemical and polymer engineers.
He warns that addressing this shortfall is vital if the UK is to develop more sustainable and technological practices, such as plastics recycling.
"Finding good quality qualified staff is a struggle," he says.
"Without trained people, research and development progress could be hampered across a number of key sectors, including materials recycling".
"So showing the real-life applications of science is one way of encouraging students to take an interest in where their qualifications can lead them".
"Hopefully this will help to address the need for more qualified chemical engineers, who work in the development and production of essential items in our modern technological society, from new materials to new fuels, drugs and consumer products".
Axion Polymers, the company's polymer processing division, maintains close links with local universities by offering student work placements.
Three joined this summer to work on process optimisation and business planning projects.
"As potential future employees, they get a feel for working with us and they in turn get valuable experience within an interesting and stimulating work environment, while being guided by our experienced team".
Although the skills shortage is set to trough in 2011 due to a 1990s dip in applications according to IChemE figures, this year has seen higher numbers of students applying to study chemical engineering at UK universities.
"That's good news, but in the short term, it still leaves firms like ours in desperate need of the skills we require to keep up with the pace of change and demand" Morton said.
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