Students and teachers were invited to Thorlabs in Ely where staff showcased future employment opportunities for young people.
A spokesman said: “The ever growing company has recognised the need to engage with potential employees at an earlier stage in their education in order to meet rapidly growing, skilled workforce requirements.”
The visitors were greeted by the Thorlabs team and attended a presentation by general manager Dr Keith Dhese and Thorlabs most recently appointed graduate engineer Ieuan Guy.
Keith gave a brief overview of the company’s history - from one man and one machine in a garage, Thorlabs has grown to almost 2,000 people working across nine countries with a turnover in excess of $300m.
A spokesman said to accommodate growth the business is investing in a new £13m building on Lancaster Way which will be finished by the second half of 2018.
Ieuan spoke to students about his graduate scholarship programme and students were also given a tour of the Ely site.
They left with the promise of a science desk for their school laboratories.
“Going forward Thorlabs will make visits to local schools and careers conventions as they continue to work towards a goal of supporting the Ely community as an employer by home growing their next generation of employees.”
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