ERMYSTED'S Grammar School pupil Gabriele Tankard was one of just two students enlisted to help local manufacturers understand the importance of work experience at an event in Bradford last week.

Gabriele, 15, joined many of the district’s largest and most influential manufacturers at an information event to inform the sector about the opportunities for working in partnership with local schools during Bradford Manufacturing Week, which will be held from October 8 to 12.

The week aims to create more than 1,000 work experience days alongside work placements, careers talks, factory tours and opportunities for the district’s teenagers to find out more about a career in manufacturing.

Bradford Manufacturing Week is being led by Bradford Chamber president Nick Garthwaite.

He said: “This event was about giving more detail around the logistics of Bradford Manufacturing Week and the support that is on offer to schools and manufacturers to ensure everyone involved gets the most out of the initiative.”

He added: “We were delighted to welcome Gabrielle to the event – it reinforced our messages about just how invaluable work experience is to today’s young people.”

Gabriele became a key part of the morning thanks to being on work placement with Silsden-based Advanced Actuators, who were attending the event.

Gabriele said: “Initiatives such as Bradford Manufacturing Week are great for students like myself who are looking to gain experience before making decisions on further and higher education and it was really lucky that while on work placement, I was invited along with the team at Advanced Actuators to find out more. Students need hands on experience to find out more about working life and although I had an idea of what I wanted to do, through my work experience I have learnt so much about this industry and the way the business runs.”

He added: “It’d be great if Bradford Manufacturing Week helps to encourage more manufacturers to offer young people the sort of opportunity I’ve had at Advanced Actuators.”

Advanced Actuators managing director Chris Woodhead said: “Bradford Manufacturing Week is a great chance for us to shout about the technology and advancements we are making and to have Gabrielle with us was a fantastic opportunity to introduce him to the wider manufacturing world and demonstrate the importance of involving young people in the working world from an early age.”

Bradford Manufacturing Week aims to create 1,000 work experience days for the district’s teenagers, engaging with around 20,000 pupils across 75 schools.