Investigate: Before my visit I found out this about the company

NE Polymers - Advisory and manufacturing service leading from conceptual design through quotations, batch manufacturing and full production. Also – training at GNVQ level in polymers, moulding design and testing.

Observe: While at the company I job shadowed an Employee. This is what happened:

• Employee Name:
• Job Role:

Mr Hannant offered a direct comparison with the design process taught in Design and Technology.
Photographic evidence offered of work in progress. Case study of individual – what his career path has been and how he has followed it.

Interview: I talked with a member of staff to find out more about their role. This is what I found out:

• Employee Name:
• Job Role:
• Pathway from school to their current position:
  Serving time with 'Electrolux' and developing expertise in plastics with 'Flymo'. Through several motor manufacturing firms with responsibility for overseeing plastic components manufacturing. Currently imparting expertise t GNVQ students and to individuals seeking advice with component manufacture.
• Where do they see themselves in the future:
  

Participate: I took part in a work related activity. This is what happened:

• Description of task:
  Use of plastics labelling device – through set-up procedure to actual printing.
  Also – disassembly at tooling and moulds for injection moulding to review coolent roles etc.
  
• Notes:
  

Imagine: From the perspective of a student the advice I would give is:

Photographic evidence of manufacturing processes. Forged links with firms and individuals willing with school. Shared vision with colleagues and discussed possible ways forward.

Summarise: The things I have found beneficial from the day(s) in the work environment are:

Looking at a broader range of manufacturing than I originally thought I might do. Meeting with like-minded colleagues to discuss issues. Obtaining photographic evidence of processes to use as teaching aids.