Budding UK engineer takes part in first Brose Youth Camp

Posted on 1 Jun 2016 by Jonny Williamson

A young engineer was given a unique opportunity to see world class technology first-hand when he was chosen to represent Brose UK in the company’s first ever ‘Motors in Motion’ Youth Camp.

Joshua Childe (15) of Halesowen demonstrating the robot he built.
Joshua Childe (15) of Halesowen demonstrating the robot he built.

Joshua Childe spent five days at the automotive supplier’s plant in Berlin, where he joined 19 other boys and girls from across the world to take part in a range of exercises designed to increase their desire to learn more about STEM.

The 15 year-old Windsor High School pupil completed workshops with a focus on electronics and design, and gained a valuable insight into soldering while visiting the company’s factory in the city.

There was also an emphasis on providing intercultural activities and this included a theatre evening, cooking class, a visit to the Computer Games Museum, and venturing to the top of the Berlin TV tower.

Childe, who was nominated by his uncle and Brose UK resident quality engineer Phil Fiddian, commented: “I really enjoyed the Brose Youth Camp, from meeting lots of new people from different backgrounds to learning more about the latest engineering techniques.

“In my spare time, I like building and assembling MP3 players and Scalextric cars, so the chance to take part in the “Lego Mindstorm challenge”, where we had to design a robot for speed, was great. My team even came second!”

Twenty children of employees from 10 European countries strengthened their technical, intercultural and social skills at the first Brose Youth Camp.
Twenty children of employees from 10 European countries strengthened their technical, intercultural and social skills at the first Brose Youth Camp.

He continued: “The Brose Youth Camp has definitely made me want to pursue a career in engineering and technology.”

Brose is the world’s fifth-largest family-owned automotive supplier and a specialist in mechatronic systems for vehicle doors and seats, as well as electric motors and drives.

The Youth Camp was the first time the company had embarked on an international project that enabled children of its employees to experience its family-owned company from a single location.

Brose UK has been present in Coventry since 1989 and currently manufactures seat and door systems for Jaguar Land Rover; Nissan; Toyota, and Volvo.

It has enjoyed significant growth in recent years and now employs nearly 1,000 people across its two plants, including the recently opened £34m extension in Colliery Lane.