With eight events at its manufacturing plant in Kimpton Road and its warehouse operation in Toddington Road, October saw hundreds of young people obtain an insight into Vauxhall’s manufacturing, engineering and supply chain operations, and also gain valuable knowledge of the wide range of careers’ opportunities available to them.
Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins joined students from Lealands High School in his constitutency on a visit to the factory.
He said: “See Inside Manufacturing is a brilliant initiative. I am sure that seeing at first-hand how the excellent Vauxhall Vivaro van is made will have encouraged local young people to give serious thought to a future career in manufacturing.”
Vauxhall has taken part in the scheme for the past three years. HR director Phil Milward said: “It is crucial we change the sceptical perceptions of manufacturing by allowing the next generation to get behind the scenes at Vauxhall.”
Vauxhall runs successful Apprenticeship, Graduate and Undergraduate schemes, the latter having received a Highly Commended Award from the National Council for Work Experience.
Building over 53,000 Vivaro-type vans at its Luton plant last year, Vauxhall is the UK’s number one manufacturer of commercial vehicles. The Luton facility has been allocated the next generation Vivaro which goes on sale next year and secures production into the next decade.
Business Secretary Vice Cable said: “We are determined to continue shaking up old fashioned views of manufacturing. Through the government’s See Inside Manufacturing campaign, we are giving young people the chance to see the exciting face of modern manufacturing which is highly skilled, high tech and highly paid.”
