A GLOBAL engineering firm, based in Wotton-under-Edge opened its doors to more than 100 school students last month.

The Year 10 and 12 students were invited to Renishaw’s headquarters for a taste of what an engineering career entails.

Taking part in a series of projects, the 108 students took part in the programme which aims to encourage more young people to consider STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) career.

A total of 96 Year 10 and 12 students participated in this year’s engineering work experience programme with a further twelve taking part in a week-long coding and software engineering scheme.

This year, the first group of engineering work experience students undertook a project to design a magnetic levitation track and carriage.

In the following week, the second group of students were tasked with designing a versatile measurement instrument accurate to 0.5 mm or better.

The projects build on the physics curriculum, allowing pupils to apply classroom knowledge in an industry environment.

The students work on the projects according to Renishaw’s product development process and use project plans and timelines as if they were engineers at the firm.

Education liaison manager at Renishaw, Julie Collins, said: “A worrying Engineering UK report recently forecasted that the engineering skills shortage will cost the UK £27billion a year by 2022.

“Addressing the skills shortage is vital to the UK economy. Renishaw hopes to work with young people to inspire STEM career choices as a part of addressing this urgent skills shortage.

“Some students who apply for work experience with Renishaw might already know they want to work in engineering, but others apply purely because they enjoy STEM subjects.

“There is a huge buzz around the week and we have had excellent feedback, with some students leaving enthused about a potential career in engineering.”

On the final day of the project, the student teams presented the prototypes to senior board members.

The work experience weeks have been awarded full recognition by the Skills for Stroud Work Experience and Employability Charter.

Applications for Renishaw’s apprenticeship schemes, including a degree-level software engineering apprenticeship, open in December.