Bring It On! - Komatsu inspires future engineers

One of the region’s best known manufacturers is setting its sights on inspiring young people and unearthing the next generation of North East engineers.

Komatsu UK has signed up as a key sponsor of Bring It On! A North-East exhibition for future engineers. 

Bring It On! is the first event of its kind in the North East. Organisers are working with local businesses to showcase the wide variety of career opportunities that are open to young people in the region.

Komatsu will be exhibiting one of its iconic excavators at the event, at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, and several employees will be on hand to give students a taster of the jobs open to them in the engineering sector. 

Tracey Bowman, Senior HR Manager at Komatsu UK, said: “The aim of this event is to inspire young people and have them walk out of Bring It On! at the end of the day excited and enthused about careers in engineering. 

Tracey Bowman, Senior HR Manager, Komatsu UK.

“It is the responsibility of businesses like Komatsu to focus on the future of the engineering sector and its workforce, so it is incredibly reassuring to see so many North-East companies supporting Bring It On! – which we hope will become a staple of the regional events calendar.”  

Komatsu places great emphasis on the importance of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths), with a team of ambassadors from different departments of the business who work with students from a range of age groups to show them how STEM subjects can be applied in the workplace.

Tracey added: “Good STEM subject results provide the foundation of so many successful careers in engineering. STEM-based careers are the fuel that powers the regional economy, and we work with the education sector to ensure that students understand this.”

Bring It On! takes place over two days on October 3-4, and expects to welcome around 2,500 students over the course of the event. Young people will learn what it is like to be an engineer through a series of talks and interactive demonstrations.

Paul Butler, Chief Executive of the North East Automotive Alliance and Apprentice Ambassador of Bring It On!, said: “The event is both interactive and engaging and will capture the imagination of primary and secondary school students. 

“It’s important for us to educate and inspire the young students, to factually inform them about having a successful career in engineering. Having the support of regional businesses, like Komatsu, is key to making the event such a success. It shows the students that we have commitment for the cause from leading innovators in the world of engineering.” 

As part of its commitment to developing the future engineering workforce, Komatsu UK has created a hugely successful apprenticeship programme, and a further nine apprentices have joined the company this year.

Tracey said: “Our scheme has provided Komatsu with quality apprenticeships for nearly 30 years. We are dedicated to taking on and training apprentices, as we recognise the value they bring to our operation.” 

Komatsu UK remains at the forefront of manufacturing excellence and now employs more than 400 people in Gateshead. Testament to the company’s reputation as an excellent employer, 12 percent of the company’s current employees are celebrating their 30th year of service at Komatsu.