Children from The Grove Primary School in Melton Mowbray ‘clocked in’ at Carlton Laser Services factory in Leicester to investigate the role of the engineer recently. Dennis Kent, a STEM Ambassador and former owner of the company and his team invited 30 pupils aged 9-11 to become engineers for the day.  After a health and safety briefing the children followed the production process from taking an order over the phone, producing an estimate, designing parts on the computer, watching them being laser cut or punched out of steel and bent, welded and packed ready for the delivery. They learnt how, with the use of computer controlled robots, the company can produce goods 24 hours day, 7 days a week. 

After looking around the factory floor the children had an opportunity to quiz members of staff to find out how they became engineers, the importance of good customer service and how important each member of the team is to a successful company. The children were given a personalised clock made from sheet steel in the factory as a reminder of their visit. Elle, a Year 6 pupil, said, “It was fun and exciting.  Mohan taught us all about engineering and I thought the staff were very clever.”  

www.leics-ebc.org.uk