The 2014 Stroud Festival of Manufacturing and Engineering (Festomane), being held from November 24-29 will once again celebrate Stroud’s rich engineering and manufacturing heritage.
The 2014 Stroud Festival of Manufacturing and Engineering (Festomane), being held from November 24-29 will once again celebrate Stroud’s rich engineering and manufacturing heritage.
Created by Neil Carmichael MP, the Member of Parliament for Stroud, and organised by his office, the Festival promotes opportunities for local young people and aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and manufacturers. During the five-day Festomane, events will be hosted around Stroud to showcase local businesses and opportunities, from careers and education events to business skills seminars.
STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects are integral to the UK’s success: the country is the world’s sixth largest manufacturer, engineering turnover is around £800 billion per year, and while the UK makes up only 1% of the world’s population, we produce 10% of the world’s top scientific research. Despite this, and even though STEM graduates have the potential to earn among the highest salaries of all new recruits, employers continue to find it difficult to recruit STEM skilled staff.
The Cotswold and UK economy needs a skilled STEM workforce, and Stroud’s Festomane has established itself as a hands-on event where local young people can learn about careers in manufacturing and engineering from those who are working in the sector, with all the big local companies, including Renishaw, Delphi, Omega Resource, Lister Shearing and Dairy Crest actively participating in the event.
Over 40 local employers and organisations have confirmed their participation which will include discussions and presentations on how to follow engineering and manufacturing as a career.
Up to date information can be found on www.festomane.co.uk.
Festomane highlights
Monday November 24
Exhibition, Stroud Leisure Centre
? Exhibition of 40 local employers/organisations
? Dragon’s Den finale to Dairy Crest FRijj Challenge
? Exhibition of primary school pupils’ work from the Technology Challenge
? Hands-on activities/workshops for school pupils Wednesday November 26 Heritage Day, Museum in the Park
? Presentations from local heritage groups
? Exhibition of Stroud’s manufacturing in the past Thursday November 27 Business-to-Business Roadshow, SGS College
? Roadshow delivered by MAS
? Business support for small and fledgling businesses
? Banking, accounting, marketing, exporting, recruiting Friday November 28 Bloodhound Challenge, Forest Green Rovers FC
? Build-a-rocket car challenge delivered by Bloodhound SSC, land speed world record project Saturday November 29 Girl Power! Women into Engineering, Renishaw New Mills
? Workshops, Question Time-style panel, stories from successful female engineers, for girls aged 14-18
