Xaar has developed an Early Careers programme to engage with those in local schools, colleges and universities as part of its sustainability roadmap goals. The Xaar Early Careers initiative is designed to build relationships with a host of education groups to improve awareness of the opportunities available within the company and to encourage student interest and engagement in STEM subjects. On offer will be a STEM Imagineering Club for local schools, and funding engineering scholarships and apprenticeships.
Helen Clifton, learning and development Manager at Xaar, said: “Not only will Xaar’s Early Career programme open up new opportunities and areas of interest for students to explore, but it will establish our business as a progressive, engaged and inclusive employer, ensuring we can futureproof the pipeline of talent that our industry requires.”
This is already bearing fruit, with several sponsored internships, as well as three new apprentices already working within Xaar’s group of companies, and more starting this month. Projects are also under way at a local secondary school, St. Peter’s in Huntingdon, to showcase opportunities for careers in the sector for year 11 students.
In addition, 12 year six students at local primary school, Stukeley Meadows, attend a weekly STEM club, hosted by members of Xaar’s Imagineering group (all of whom are registered members of the Imagineering Foundation, introducing young people to the world of STEM).
Xaar recently welcomed the members of Stukeley Meadows Imagineering Club to its factory in Huntingdon.
Plans are in place to extend Xaar’s Early Careers programme still further in 2023.
