Oswestry-based Aico, the European Market Leader in Home Life Safety, has recently welcomed secondary school Year 9 students from Lakelands to their headquarters for an educational visit to learn about the company and the careers they have to offer.
Both days compromised of a tour of the facilities, gaining an insight into Aico and an understanding of the various job roles within all departments, including the fast-paced environment of the warehouse. The students participated in a carousel of interactive team building activities to provide them with an opportunity to learn about working within a business environment. These activities included a wiring challenge, using 3 – core cabling to connect the correct cable to the corresponding terminals within a base plate. The students took part in a box challenge, which required the students to pick and pack orders efficiently and accurately. The students excelled at the finance workshop, working as a team to reveal digits to a safe code. The day concluded with a marketing task where students were given the objective of designing a stand for an event based on a chosen industry, which they presented to the rest of their classmates; many students focused on sustainability.
Year 9 students commented “I found out I have a hidden talent for wiring”, and “working as a team to present my ideas was a lot less scary than I thought it would be!”.
Lizzie Williams, Marketing Executive for Aico supported the students throughout the day and added “This was my first educational workshop, I thoroughly enjoyed supporting these students. The marketing challenge saw many innovative ideas emerging from the students, with a particular focus on the sustainability scenario, which is a vital aspect to consider for the evolving future. It was fantastic to see their creative visons displayed within the finalised designs achieved through collaboration and enthusiasm.”
Furthermore, Aico supported Lakelands with their Importance of Maths event. Aico colleagues Lily Ellis, Community Liaison and James Defty, Finance Apprentice, spoke to students about the importance of Maths in the world of work across every department to complete daily tasks. James discussed a ‘day-in-the-life’ of a Finance Apprentice highlighting the key skills and qualities required. Students worked collaboratively on a VAT challenge, calculating the nett and gross value of Aico alarms; these tasks based on real life scenarios offer students an insight into what is expected in an employment environment.
Vicky Wilson, Careers Leader for Lakelands comments “Having worked with Aico for a couple of years; welcoming them into our school both in person and virtually, I was excited to finally introduce our year 9s to the Aico Centre of Excellence and what it has to offer. To say they were impressed is an understatement! They spent the day experiencing the world of work in a business that is local to them, yet multinational in its reach. The premises alone impressed them, they appreciated that Aico clearly cared for their employees. What made the biggest impression on the students though, was the simulated work tasks that had been organised for the students to undertake. Aico’s thoughtful and encouraging engagement with Lakelands Academy is certainly having the desired effect giving students food for thought about their futures.”
Since launching ‘Aico in the Community’ in January 2018, the programme has been a great success and has grown significantly. Aico colleagues regularly volunteer to participate in educational sessions. Aico understands the importance of supporting education, developing a range of initiatives to support students in their local communities, from work experience placements, delivering educational sessions and offering careers advice and guidance.
Find out more about Aico in the Community here:
www.aico.co.uk/in-the-community/
Pictured: Year 9 students participating in the marketing challenge.
