Careers fair back at Magna

A CAREERS fair aimed at getting young people into engineering, manufacturing or technology is coming back to Magna for a second year.

The Get Up to Speed event, which has been backed by major players like Tata Steel and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, attracted nearly 2,000 people when it was held at Magna in April.

Now organisers have revealed they plan to come back to the Rotherham venue in 2016 and have more than 300 students already booked to come.

The event, the biggest of its kind in Yorkshire, is supported by both Rotherham and Sheffield councils and organised by Sheffield-based charity the work-wise Foundation. It was first run in 2011, moving to Magna this year.

John Barber, of the work-wise Foundation, said: “Magna turned out to be the perfect venue for this event. The space worked really well and the place is just right because of its past and present use.

“The building is steeped in industrial history. As a giant former steelworks it is awe-inspiring and now, of course, the building has been transformed into a science adventure centre, and it’s a popular venue for business events too.

“So I can’t think of a better place to host an event that is all about encouraging young people to think about a career in manufacturing, engineering or technology.”

This year’s event attracted exhibitors from 60 companies and organisations; VIPs like the Master Cutler and local mayors, and exhibits including the car from the film ‘Back to the Future’ and a full-sized aircraft model built by apprentices.

Next year Get Up to Speed will be held on April 20. Fifteen companies including Aesseal, Tata Steel, President Engineering Group Ltd, Numill, Chesterfield Cylinders, Dormer Pramet and Airmaster have already booked to attend.

John Silker, chief executive of Magna, said: “Magna is just right for events like this. We are very much part of the local business community and we are all about science and education. So it’s great to know that this event is coming back.”

Magna is housed in the former Templeborough steelworks near junction 34 of the M1. It is an award-winning visitor attraction, with more than 100 hands-on exhibits designed to explore the four elements of air, water, earth and fire. It also hosts regular school trips and offers corporate venue space for events catering for five people up to 5,000.