Supported by engineering education charity The Smallpeice Trust, six Xaar employees helped to organise a range of technical challenges for more than 50 local year 10 students (14-15 year olds).
The day, held last month, included a presentation from Xaar about its research and manufacturing processes before students got to the tasks at hand.
Challenged first to build the tallest tower possible that could support a 100g weight, made only of A4 paper, students then had to design, build and market their own audio speakers.
Competitive spirit whetted by promise of a medal ceremony, the teams got stuck in, developing their design, soldering, electronics and marketing skills.
Congratulations at last went to the winning team for a butterfly-themed speaker as they were presented their winners’ medals.
Amira-Ashley Moore, one of the students, said: “The team helped us with our tasks and encouraged us with advice on how we could improve our speakers. Having Xaar here today really showed us what they do and what we could maybe become in the future.”
Xaar's early years programme is part of its sustainable business roadmap, published in June 2022, by which the firm hopes to reach key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals - like net-zero carbon emissions - by 2030.
Helen Clifton, learning and development manager at Xaar, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with the secondary school and to be part of such a successful day for local students, which delivers on the Community pillar of our Sustainability Roadmap.
“Highlighting the role of STEM related careers and the many exciting opportunities in our industry is key to our future and we hope that this event will have helped us to do this.”
Speaking to Printweek, she added that as well as helping the students develop their skills, school outreach was an important part of Xaar's talent strategy.
She said: "It helps to raise awareness of Xaar as an employer and puts us on the map when students are considering their careers.
"It’s also very much about positioning Xaar as a progressive employer, an employer of choice, and as an organisation that, even after leaving school and on a career path, a candidate will want to apply to and build and develop their career. [...]
"We believe that more companies should consider doing this as it will help to futureproof our industry against the issue of an ageing print workforce."
Amber Walker, careers officer from St. Peter’s School, said that the school had been thrilled to welcome Xaar and the Smallpeice Trust to the STEM day.
Students had engaged keenly in the activities, she added, some of which - like soldering - many of the students had not yet experienced.
She said: “It opened our students’ eyes to the vast variety of opportunities within STEM and promoted the importance of each role within the team which really enabled our students to understand the power of teamwork.
“There really was a buzz in the air, the feedback from the students was incredibly positive and it would be an absolute pleasure to welcome Xaar and The Smallpeice Trust back again in the future.”
