Published on 06 August 2019
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Sunderland based Lear Corporation is the latest company to join a stream of sponsors working together to support the 'Bring It On' exhibition for future engineers.
'Bring It On' is a major event supporting engineers of the future and taking place October 9-10, at the Beacon of Light in Sunderland.
Lear Corporation, a global leader in automotive seating and e-systems, is donating £1,500 to a worthy recipient at the event. This is prize money the company collected at the North East Automotive Alliance’s (NEAA) regional automotive annual awards back in February for their “Lear Innovation Portal” which empowers employees at all levels to share ideas, solve problems and collaborate on solutions.
Winning companies are encouraged to donate their NEAA award to regional STEM projects or local schools in support of STEM projects.
The University of Sunderland sponsored the NEAA Innovation award. Professor of Advanced Maintenance at our University, David Baglee, said: “We are delighted to be working with the NEAA as a sponsor of their annual automotive awards, of which Lear Corporation is a worthy winner of the Innovation award.
“I am pleased to see Lear making their award donation to such a great cause – Bring it On, the North East exhibition for future engineers. This school’s engagement initiative helps to inspire and encourage children to explore a career in engineering, which in turn supports our University as a location for higher level education.”
'Bring It On' is a collaboration of national and regional organisations working together to help reduce the skills gap within engineering by inspiring young people at the grassroots level. The event will showcase all aspects of North East Engineering to young people with the goal of educating them about the engineering activities which take place in the region, inspiring them to want to be part of it and informing them about the various routes into engineering.
Caroline Dixon, senior HR officer at Lear Corporation said: “The team at Lear are delighted to have won the Innovation award at the NEAA’s annual awards dinner – it is recognition for the hard work undertaken to strive for continuous improvement and innovation.
“We decided to donate our winnings to 'Bring It On' having supported this exhibition last year and seen first-hand what a great inspiring event this is for school pupils. 'Bring It On' offers schools in our region the opportunity to engage with local employers and experience some real-life engineering challenges. We are thrilled to be able to support the event again this year.”
Carol Harrison, Big Bang manager at The North East STEM Hub said of the award donation: “We are delighted that Lear has chosen to work with us again to deliver the 'Bring It On' event, which is the biggest celebration of Engineering in the North East.”
Paul Butler, chief executive of the NEAA said of the awards: “I am delighted that thanks to the support of our sponsors we have been able to award £14,000 in support of future talent and STEM projects. Lear’s donation to the ‘Bring it On’ exhibition will help cement engineering as a great career choice for young talent.”
The NEAA awards were sponsored by MAKE it Sunderland, Invest South Tyneside, Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK), Gateshead College, RTC North and the University of Sunderland.
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