The URENCO Make It Enterprising Challenge 10 November 2011

Wirral Grammar School for Boys proved they have what it takes to ‘Make It’ in the nuclear energy sector by taking home the winners trophy at the latest Make It Enterprising Challenge heat sponsored by URENCO.

The event, which involved 13 and 14 year old boys and girls from twelve schools across Merseyside and the Wirral challenged the pupils to form their own mini-manufacturing businesses and compete to win a contract from URENCO who produce enriched Uranium - or HEX - which enables power stations around the world to generate electricity.

Each team of eight students had to design, build, and finance a new transportation system that could ship HEX to and from URENCO’s site in Capenhurst. In addition, the pupils had to meet the industry’s strict health and safety criteria and complete a list of set tasks before standing up and presenting their ideas to a panel of Dragon’s (made up of URENCO’s senior managers) in a business ‘pitch’ reminiscent of the popular TV show Dragon’s Den.

The winning team from Wirral Grammar School for Boys impressed the Dragon’s with their energy efficient train and by working well together throughout the day. The team delivered a confident pitch and gave a well-thought out business plan which just gave them the edge in what was a very closely-run contest.

Second place went to Christleton High School in Chester whose dedication to reducing carbon emissions during the transportation process also impressed the judges.

This popular and over-subscribed event was a collaboration between URENCO and The Manufacturing Institute’s Make It campaign (www.makeit.org.uk). Make It started back in 2006 and is a campaign designed to attract the brightest and best young people to careers in the manufacturing sector by highlighting the wide range of interesting opportunities available in their local area.

Stephen Melia, Event Coordinator of the Make It campaign said: “Modern manufacturing provides young people with an opportunity to do something creative, interesting and important. The sector contributes £200 billion annually to the economy and offers opportunities to travel and earn good money. By working with URENCO we are helping to dispel the negative myths that surround careers in manufacturing and create a pipeline of talent for the future jobs that are being created in the sector.”

Steve Ball, Head of HR at URENCO added ‘The nuclear industry is growing and we need to create a pipeline of talent to ensure that we have the right people with the right skills to facilitate this growth. At URENCO we have a robust schools programme to encourage children and young people to consider careers in the nuclear sector and see our involvement in the make It campaign as an extension of this very important work.”

Both Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Christleton High School will now go through to Make It’s Grand Regional Final held in summer 2012.

Click here to see more photos from the event

Watch a video from the day by clicking here