Driving the uptake of new skills in manufacturing

Hi there. Sorry for the long break between posts. You may have read in previous posts about the F1inSchools project. It's a great project [read here about similar ones in previous posts] that encourages young people, usually school teams, to be involved in the design and manufacturing of model Formula One race cars. The cream on the cake is that at regional, state and national finals, the team also get to race the cars.

Recently, the Queensland finals were held at Bundaberg State High School. The Manager of the project Leanne Hixon, was closely involved in organising the event and ensuring a good turnout of schools at the finals which saw 84 students from 18 teams involved in the event. Leanne was so involved she helped designed and manufactured two cars that almost held their own in achieving fast racing times.

Leanne Hixon ready to put the cars under starter's orders

Congratulations to the Major winners:

• Overall Winner (highest points on the day): Attacca Subito from Pine Rivers State High School
• Professional Senior Class: Attacca Subito – Pine Rivers State High School
• Professional Junior Class: High Voltage Racing from Noosa District State High School
• Development Class: Southern Cross Racing from Noosa District State High School
• Cadet Class: Ace Racing – Mackay North State High School

The National Final will be held in Avalon Melbourne 27/28 Feb and 1 March in 2013 in conjunction with the Avalon Air Show with the following Queensland teams attending:

• Attacca Subito from Pine Rivers State High School
• High Voltage Racing from Noosa District State High School
• Southern Cross Racing from Noosa District State High School

Apastron from Mirani State High School and a collaboration team from Split Second Racing – St Patrick’s College Mackay and High Calibre Racing Mirani SHS’ received wild cards to attend the National Finals.

The poetry of waste

One of our clients penned the following poem about waste in their work environment:

Manufacturing is all about production

but too many and then there is more reduction

As time is lost on extra widgets

the warehouse manager will get the fidgets

Inventory is always great,

but not when you have to wait and wait.

So do not polish and do not shine,

if it is a waste of time.

Wasted time and loss of space

When we try to do with haste

So make a plan and think it through

otherwise you will make a blue

Touch it once and this is great

Touch it thrice and you need advice

Sometimes the waste is beyond our reach

but QMI Solutions can fill the breach

Many thanks to Radmila Bowman at Playhard Sports for the contribution.