Chemical industry doors opened to students

A Cross Hills business has celebrated Bradford Manufacturing Weeks by opening its doors to local students and giving them multi-department experience of working life in a chemical manufacturer. Airedale Chemical planned a work experience programme for students from Parkside School and Shipley College which spanned three days and each department of the company. As children moved around the business they were briefed to complete practical tasks in each department to give them a taste of working life at a busy manufacturer. Activities included carrying out quality checks on products they created, sourcing new suppliers for the procurement department, creating adverts for the marketing team and researching potential new accounts for the sales department. Managing director, Chris Chadwick, explains: “This is the second year that we have been involved in Bradford Manufacturing Week and we have found it a really educational and enriching experience for everyone involved. “We have created links and opened conversations with schools and colleges in our area that will lead to long-term meaningful relationships. We’re already planning future activities where we can share our knowledge and experience with pupils and where they can bring a fresh perspective to the business. “One student was so interested that he is continuing talks with our HR department about returning for longer term work experience to help his hopes of a career in engineering.” Bradford Manufacturing Weeks is set to provide almost 6,000 manufacturing experiences to pupils of 45 Bradford secondary schools and colleges in the district. More than 65 local manufacturers will facilitate work placements, school talks and site tours for 14-18-year-old school pupils. Chris adds: “We have also hosted pupils from South Craven College on tours of our Cross Hills site. It is so important for us as a manufacturer in this industry to be open and transparent with our local communities and to educate the next generation about all the opportunities in Bradford’s manufacturing sector.” Airedale Chemical has been based in Cross Hills since 1994 and provides chemicals and contract manufacturing to markets including manufacturing, dairy, recycling and waste management. For more information visit www.airedalechemical.com.