Think Lifting - LEEA's New School Engagement Program

The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has launched Think Lifting, a new school engagement program that that aims to bring the opportunities of entering the lifting industry to the attention of pre-option secondary school children (ages 11 -- 13) through linking them to the local lifting sector.

"Finding the next generation of engineers is one of the most pressing concerns in our industry, which is one that comprises a set of very specialized and technical occupations where skills cannot be transferred easily," said Ross Moloney, CEO of LEEA. "So the association is taking vital action to help create a sustainable workforce."

LEEA will provide members who wish to get involved in the scheme with FREE training to give those volunteering the required knowledge to access local schools and become comfortable in that environment. LEEA will also equip them with a FREE suite of tools including 'experiments' to provide demonstrations and also to allow pupils themselves to get involved in solving problems. There will also be videos introducing students to lifting industry occupation opportunities.

This means members themselves to go out to their local schools and engage with students - with LEEA offering all the support it can.

Students sparked with interest will have a pathway into our sector via the new apprenticeship, which is currently being developed through the Trailblazer Working Group.

Moloney says: "We want school children to understand how being an engineer is a skilled, attractive and varied occupation, where they can find themselves on-site doing a multitude of tasks. We want them to see the apprenticeship as the gateway to working with a combination of new designs, new development, concepts, new materials, defined approaches in accordance with regulations and legislation. Our industry has been hidden away for too long, it is time to bring it into the classroom."

If you wish to get involved in the Think Lifting Program and help attract tomorrow's lifting industry workforce, get in touch: mail@leeaint.com. Non-LEEA members are also welcome to get involved, though training and tools will be charged.