Firm engineers insightful tour for youngsters

More than 30 Year Five girls from Dewsbury’s Boothroyd Primary Academy were shown around 600 UK in Heckmondwike.

They were able to see products being manufactured and took part in engineering demonstrations on the firm’s new Harrison Alpha XC CNC combination lathe.

National Women in Engineering Day is aimed at raising the profile and celebrating the achievements of females in that industry.

It is the brainchild the Women’s Engineering Society, which was set up in 1919 by ladies who had worked in technical roles during the First World War.

Howard Bamforth, 600 UK sales director, said: “We have always been heavily involved in engineering education at any stage in the school curriculum, so we were delighted to work with Boothroyd Primary Academy to introduce engineering concepts to the pupils.

“The feedback we got was tremendous and the girls were really enthusiastic to learn more about what we do here.”

The firm, based in Union Street, has worked closely with Boothroyd Academy for the last 12 months, providing on-site learning workshops to introduce pupils to the world of engineering technology.

Boothroyd Primary Academy is a part of the Focus Academy Trust. Five hundred kids attend the school, in Temple Road, from nursery level through to Year Six pupils.

Allison Simpson, of Focus Academy Trust, said: “We are delighted our children have had the opportunity to visit the site.

“The insight into engineering and the workplace will be invaluable to them as they start to plan their own futures.

“We can’t do this without the support of local businesses, so we would like to extend our thanks to 600 UK for working with us.”

Machine tools is one of three main 600 Group PLC areas of business. The firm has a strong reputation in the market for metal turning machines.

It also deals in precision engineering components – machine spares are distributed to customers across the globe.

Laser marking, an alternative to inkjet, is another area the firm branches out in, providing for customers from telecommunications to pharmaceutical industries.