Caterpillar NI Ltd gives future engineers the foundation to succeed - Business In The Community

Caterpillar NI Ltd gives future engineers the foundation to succeed

Caterpillar (NI) Limited is Europe’s largest manufacturer of diesel generator sets and has recently expanded operations to include production of wheeled material handlers and articulated truck axles.

Background

Design, manufacturing and sales activities are undertaken locally in Northern Ireland across four locations: Larne, Monkstown and two facilities at the Springvale Industrial Park in Belfast.

What Caterpillar NI Ltd Did

Operating in an industry that is heavily reliant on the skills and talent of upcoming graduates, Caterpillar NI Ltd invests heavily in STEM-related education initiatives. The company delivers a policy that is driven from corporate level and is extremely proud of the support it can offer education through its Caterpillar Foundation. Working collaboratively with partners, the Caterpillar Foundation aims to champion programmes that give particular focus to the promotion of STEM subjects through both financial investment and in-kind benefit through employee time.

One example initiative funded by the Caterpillar Foundation is the Caterpillar Scholarship Programme which is dedicated to transforming lives in the communities its employees live and work by providing scholarships to engineering students at Queen’s University Belfast. This scholarship enables recipients to benefit from a unique opportunity to gain invaluable skills and experience with Caterpillar alongside a financial award to support their studies.

The company has also worked closely with Northern Regional College’s Career Ready programme which gives employers an opportunity to raise the aspirations of 16-19 year olds.

Key impacts and outcomes

  • Sponsorship provided for two students from Northern Regional College
  • 60 short-term work placements provided per year
  • 10 one-year placements provided per year
  • Caterpillar NI produced 67% of innovation ideas in its division
  • To find out more, email mcculsj@cat.com