HALESOWEN-based general and precision engineering company Glassworks Hounsell and Black Country chartered accountants and business advisers E R Grove & Co have teamed up to launch a My Engineering work placement scheme.

In a bid to encourage college learners aiming for a career in engineering by matching them with suitable manufacturing companies within the region, the project is seeking manufacturers and colleges wishing to be part of the new scheme.

My Engineering will see 12 college learners working for 12 different manufacturing companies within the Back Country throughout their academic year.

To acquire a wide range of skills and experience different manufacturing backgrounds, each student will get the chance to spend time with at least two of the 12 participating companies.

Every learner will be required to attend one of the company’s premises for one to two days a week and full-time during college holidays. On completion, students might have a chance of doing a full-time apprenticeship with their chosen firm.

The scheme was brought about following a meeting between William Brinkman, director at Glassworks Hounsell and E R Grove director Steve Lomas.

By highlighting especially the career options available through further education, the scheme hopes to tackle the lack of future talent within manufacturing.

While acknowledging the need for skilled young labour within the manufacturing sector, the collaborating companies also aim to raise the profile of engineering within SMEs across the Black Country.

Already collaborating with the University of Birmingham, Mr Brinkman said: “We are currently working with a number of very talented engineering students in our design department. However, there is a lack of young and interested skilled labourers.

“Working closely with colleges is, therefore, one of our key objectives and in order to get young people interested in manufacturing in the first place, their perception of the sector and our image have to change.”

With the first round of the scheme starting in September, My Engineering is still looking for manufacturers and colleges interested in participating in the programme.

For more information or to register contact Steve Lomas at E R Grove & Co on 0121 559 1071 or via e-mail on partners@ergrove.co.uk