Vauxhall recently hosted a Women in Engineering event at its manufacturing plant in Luton.

The company welcomed 48 female students from local schools to take part in a range of activities.

As well as encouraging female students to consider careers in manufacturing and engineering (including various careers available at Vauxhall), the five-day initiative sought to raise the profile of women in engineering and celebrate their achievements.

In addition to visiting the production line in the body shop and general assembly areas, the students took part in a competition to learn about the processes of lean manufacturing.

Working in teams, they fitted car parts to wooden chassis, while meeting quality standards set by Vauxhall staff.

The students were introduced to members of the Vauxhall team across all parts of the site, and they got an understanding of the whole range of manufacturing jobs available.

Maintenance electrician Nikita Tailor (www.groupe-psa.com), who began her career at Vauxhall as an apprentice, gave a presentation to explain why she chose an apprenticeship and showed ‘a day in the life’ of her role at the plant.

The students were also told what particular skills are required when the company hires apprentices.