240 pupils from Newtown High School took part in a series of workshops to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths).

The sessions had been arranged by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group to support the Futureproofing Engineering Skills Provision in Powys Project which is supported by Powys County Council.

The aim of this project is to ensure the future growth and development of the manufacturing and engineering sector in Powys by helping to address the skills and training barriers being faced by the industry.

Manufacturing and engineering in Powys employs more than 5,000 people, by employee numbers and the industry is facing a skills shortage.

Year 7 and Year 8 Pupils in the schools took part in a range of activities including the Lego Mindstorm The EV3 experience where the pupils had to programme and command the LEGO robots.

Using the Knex building system students designed and built racing cars. Then using compressed air pumps fired them along a track and using their maths skills to analyse performance.

The Green energy workshop enabled pupils to construct a solar powered car from a kit, ensuring the drive axels and gears meshed correctly, and the vehicle had minimal rolling resistance.

Once the car was charged using solar power it was monitored using a voltmeter. The final challenge was to charge the car just enough to run down the track and stop at a predetermined point.

The CITB also provided the ICE Bridge to Schools covering civil engineering to assist with the week long activities.

A number of companies also provided volunteers including EvaBuild, Control Techniques, Myrick Training, & NPTC Group of Colleges.

“Engaging young people at an early age and providing an insight into the industry locally and the opportunities is vital to addressing the skills needs of local engineering and manufacturing companies.”

Cllr Martin Weale, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Planning, said: “Our thanks go to Mr Ben Jones, assistant headteacher, and Mrs Andrea Troth, head of technology at Newtown High School, for co-ordinating the activities for the pupils, and to all the volunteers including EvaBuild, Control Techniques, Myrick Training, and NPTC Group of Colleges who all came together to ensure that young people in the region were able to take part in this day and gain a greater understanding of the opportunities that are available to them locally in industry.

"Manufacturing and Engineering in Powys employs over 5,000 people, and the industry is facing a skills shortage so activities like this are vital to ensure the future of the sector in our region. ”

— Ceri Stephens Group Manager for Mid Wales Manufacturing Group