2M’s subsidiary, Surfachem, hosted six school students in our laboratory at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre in Huddersfield. The students were all participants on the EY Foundation Smart Futures programme.
Smart Futures gives young people access to a great experience of work. It is a ten month programme offering paid work experience during Easter or summer, giving students a variety of transferable skills to give them a head start in their career, helping them get a job after school or go onto higher education or college.
As well as two weeks of training and one week work experience, students have the chance to visit different businesses to get real insight into different work environments and career opportunities.
Surfachem was delighted to be part of this great initiative, offering an open day to enable the Smart Futures students to learn more about the company and the industry as a whole, what careers are available, and fundamentally how chemicals play a part in our everyday lives. The day included presentations from key members of staff who discussed their route into the industry and their role within the business.
The students also took part in a practical activity which included making their very own shower gel as well as looking at the different textures of products that are tested in the lab, all in which they could take home at the end of the day.
The visit was a great success for all involved and an inspiring day for both students and employees!
Surfachem staff with students in Surfachem’s Innovation Centre after an employment talk
Students from the EY Foundation formulating their own shower gel in the Surfachem Innovation Lab
