Press Releases

RS Components’ support for Young Enterprise expanded after two decades of involvement

Inspiring students in futuristic design and development of products

London, UK, 21 March 2019:

RS Components (RS) the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global multi-channel provider of industrial and electronic products and solutions, has expanded its support for the 2019 Young Enterprise initiative. RS, which has been involved with the programme for almost 20 years, hosted a week-long workshop at both its Corby head offices and the RS Local branch in Watford. These workshops provided a great opportunity to inspire local talented students to develop their design and engineering skills.

RS invited students to its offices in Corby from local schools including Northampton High School, Gartree High School, Kingsthorpe College, Northampton School for Boys, Northampton School for Girls, Rawlins Academy and The Duston School and gave them a challenge to repurpose everyday disposable items. Following this, the students will now work on their design projects for one month before sending them to the RS judging panel which includes Lindsley Ruth, Chief Executive of Electrocomponents. Up to ten finalists will be invited to the Group head office in London in June to present their projects back to the panel.

Earlier this month RS helped to curate the Young Enterprise presentation delivered to 130 gifted and talented Year 9 students from across the UK. The programme helps students build skills including marketing, finance and communications to aid employability. RS also provided STEM ambassadors as mentors for the students, available to them on each day of the week-long event.

Laura Giddings, STEM Education Manager, Northern Europe, commented: “RS has been working with the Young Enterprise programme for almost two decades, and we have extended our support this year to demonstrate our passion for inspiring young entrepreneurs, and our commitment to promote engineering. Young Enterprise's mission statement is ‘to inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise’ – an ambition which is close to our own, which is to enable and inspire tomorrow’s engineers to make more possible.

“Over the week, we have delivered valuable information about engineering and technology to the students and shown them how RS supports engineers and technologists. The students really enjoyed their time with RS, taking on board the knowledge and advice that was offered to them. We can’t wait to see how the efforts from this week will translate into designed products.”

Robin Neighbour, area manager for Young Enterprise in Northamptonshire, said: “We’re grateful for the support RS has given to Young Enterprise over the years. This year has been phenomenal with support on the presentation to students - which is a key part of inspiring them to participate in the initiative - and support with hosting and judging. We’re thrilled with the calibre of students coming through the programme and it’s been great to focus on the important area of technology and engineering.”

The deadline for entries is 26th April, with finalists announced on Friday 10th May. The finals will take place on 18th June 2019, when up to 60 students will be visiting the RS London office with their teachers. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded.

Young Enterprise is a not-for-profit business and enterprise charity in England and Wales. For further information about the Young Enterprise programme, visit https://www.young-enterprise.org.uk. 

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