Schools visits provide seed for apprentice scheme
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Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Oct 24, 2003
Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon has been overwhelmed by the interest shown by local schools in the manufacturing capabilities of the prestigious Cumbrian company.
Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon has been overwhelmed by the interest shown by local schools in the manufacturing capabilities of the prestigious Cumbrian company.
Gilkes, which specialises in the design, manufacture, supply, installation and servicing of pumps, water engineering solutions and hydro turbines is one of the oldest independent "fluid engineering" company's based in the UK.
As part of the company's 150 year celebrations, Gilkes sent out invitations to the local schools inviting pupils to visit the Kendal based manufacturing site and see for themselves the expertise employed in manufacturing world class pumps and hydro turbines.
Little did the company know the overwhelming response from the schools would result in Gilkes entertaining two schools per day for a full fortnight.
The response from the schools enabled Gilkes to develop a structured visit for the pupils, which included a tour of the factory, a presentation on the history of Gilkes dating back to the original beginnings in1853, a quiz and tour of the new on-site "history of Gilkes" exhibition.
The exhibition displays photographs, product drawings and interesting information that spans three centuries of manufacturing expertise and includes information on projects including the supply of a hydro turbine to power a dynamo which provided electric light to the first private house in the UK.
Sharon Bianchi, Marketing Executive for Gilkes explains: "We hoped the local community would show some interest in Gilkes, but we were absolutely overwhelmed by the response from the schools".
"In the case of some schools, two visits were arranged to accommodate the interest", Bianchi continues.
"What amazed us the most was the enthusiasm from the pupils, they had never seen anything like this before, I think if they could have started working in the factory the next day they would".
"Popular culture seems to be pushing kids towards working in the media, being a pop star or a footballer, our experience from this exercise is that interest in manufacturing is alive and well and the workforce of the future will be happy to work for Gilkes".
Two of the parties who visited Gilkes were 6th form pupils, with the remaining groups comprising of 9-11 year olds.
Gilkes operates an apprentice scheme taking on three or four trainees every year.
After these school visits, the company is confident the apprentice schemes will attract the best applicants for years to come.
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