T Level engineering students visit Lisi Aerospace factory

T Level engineering students from Rugby College and Warwick Trident College visited Lisi Aerospace's factory for an exclusive insight.

Students received a presentation, a full factory tour, and process development insight including a detailed talk about the in-house development of electronics, MMS system and databases as well as a review of Lisi's Smart Factory project and a Q&A.

Simon Smithers, Head of Engineering at WCG, said: "Working with industry is very important to us. It exposes the students to the latest technologies and working practices that industry has to offer.

"Manufacturing components as efficiently as possible, ensuring that all components are accurate to a few microns, is a skill that needs to be truly admired.

"Lisi Aerospace are one of our local companies in Rugby and we are so grateful that they have opened their doors recently to show our students what the world of industry has to offer."

The organisation, based in Rugby, offers industry placements for successful students looking to enter the engineering industry.

• Select appropriate methods to improve performance.

• Lead a performance review with confidence and structure.

The day not only left everyone feeling positive about a subject that can be a little daunting for some in the workplace, but it was great as a team-building day with the management team. (We never knew that Martin was a record-breaking Jaffa Cake eater!)

This course has now helped our management team to create an environment where we have:

• Clearly focused goals.

• Objectively appraise performance.

• Motivated and enthusiastic staff.

• Targeted development of resources.

We can definitely recommend this type of training to increase morale for your team and the Chamber provided excellent facilities and a fantastic lunch.

Marcin Klaczek, Organisational Development Coordinator at Lisi Aerospace, said: "This was a unique opportunity for the T Level students to get vital insights and exposure to the real-life working environment, and how manufacturing can support their future careers.

"We believe this could be a fantastic stepping stone into our exclusive apprenticeships program and it was a pleasure to open our factory doors to the students."

To find out more about engineering courses at WCG, visit: wcg.ac.uk/engineering

Tom Mongan, president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and chair of its North Warwickshire branch.

Is it me or is this year just flying by?

Easter has come and gone, and we seem to be hurtling at great speed towards the summer months!

And this year we have an extra Bank Holiday in May to celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation.

I am pretty sure that it will be a joyous and grand affair, for there is no doubt there are not many, if any nations, that can beat us when it comes to ceremonial pomp and pageantry.

With the eyes of the world homing in on the occasion, I hope all goes well and that at least the great unpredictable British weather is kind.

With that said, I can’t help but reflect on my period as President of this great Chamber.

I have had two Monarchs, three Prime Ministers, four Chancellors of the Exchequer, a worldwide pandemic and Brexit!

Not to mention the highest energy prices ever, sky high inflation and rocketing interest rates.

Throw into the mix the war in Ukraine, fuel shortages and a lack of skilled workers to help beleaguered businesses; I think it is fair to say that to date my term as President has been eventful!

I doubt that in the 120-year history of this Chamber, there will have been many Presidents that will have had to deal with such turbulent times!

I just hope that in the six months I have remaining in this post, that there are no more troubled waters to navigate, and much calmer times lie ahead.

Now what was I saying about time flying by?

Here I am with only six months left as President, of a term that will have lasted for three years. Three years that are absolutely flying by, in which I have had the good fortune to have met a lot of awesome people, promoted and supported just the most inspiring and special businesses and travelled to some amazing places.

As the clock is ticking I still have a lot of people and business to meet and places to get to, time waits for no one; so enjoy the May Bank Holidays and the extra holiday for the Coronation!