Tadcaster based Lambert (www.lamberteng.com) — a leading provider of high-value automation systems, equipment engineering and precision components — is taking matters into its own hands to help bridge the skills gap.

The company recently threw open the doors of its factory to showcase life as a modern-day engineer.

More than 200 primary- and secondary-school pupils plus college and university students were given a taste of bionics, augmented reality and robotics, while the AMRC’s MANTRA exhibition — a travelling showcase for advanced engineering — was on hand to showcase virtual reality.

Lambert’s Madeleine Lee, who played a key role in shaping the event, said: “We recognise the importance of inspiring young people to consider a future in manufacturing, and the best way to do this is to give them a first-hand insight into the sector and change the misconception that it is a dirty industry.

There’s a whole host of career opportunities linked to ‘state of the art’ technologies, such as VR and 3-D printing.

“The event attracted pupils as young as seven and those currently studying for their degrees.

They all had the chance to tour our factory, look at some of the machines we build and ask questions about careers.

“We also held a ‘talking corner’ where visitors were encouraged to ask apprentices and staff about life working at Lambert and the manufacturing sector in general.

"On hand were electrical engineering manager Roy Jewitt — a former Lambert apprentice with 34 years’ continuous service — and Nick Green, who started as an apprentice 22 years ago and is now our production director.”