Carbon ThreeSixty Inspires Next Generation of Engineers with Local Work Experience Partnership
This week, Chippenham-based advanced composites pioneer welcomed Evan Cooper, a student from local Hardenhuish School, for an immersive week of hands-on work experience with STEM Learning at Carbon ThreeSixty. The placement highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to fostering local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) talent and strengthening its bond with the surrounding community.
Evan, who has a keen interest in engineering, spent the week embedded within Carbon ThreeSixty’s state-of-the-art 44,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. During his time, he was introduced to the complex world of structural composites, exploring how cutting-edge carbon fiber structures transition from initial concepts into high-performance components for the automotive, aerospace, and defence sectors.
Bridging the Gap: School and Industry
While the placement provided Evan with invaluable industry exposure, the collaboration underpins a much larger initiative for Carbon ThreeSixty: building a sustainable pipeline of local talent by bridging the gap between academic education and industrial application.
“Investing in young people isn’t just a corporate buzzword for us—it’s how we grow,” said Tom Ellaway, Sales & Marketing Manager at Carbon ThreeSixty. “Partnering with local schools like Hardenhuish allows us to demystify advanced manufacturing for young people right here in Wiltshire. Evan has shown fantastic enthusiasm this week, and it’s a pleasure to give the next generation of engineering pioneers a real look at what a career in STEM looks like.”
STEM Learning at Carbon ThreeSixty:
Throughout the week, Evan was able to shadow the company’s specialist engineering and production teams. He observed the intricate processes behind composite manufacturing—including tailored fiber placement and precision lamination—showing how the theoretical physics and math taught in school classrooms are applied to real-world light weighting solutions.
By opening its doors to Hardenhuish School students, Carbon ThreeSixty aims to show local youth that world-class, globally impactful engineering is happening right on their doorstep in Chippenham. The company continues to champion regional outreach, actively participating in local careers fairs and offering apprenticeships, graduate pathways, and internships to keep the South West at the forefront of the UK’s advanced engineering sector.
About Carbon ThreeSixty:
Carbon ThreeSixty is a turnkey specialist in the design, development, and manufacture of highly challenging, advanced composite structures. From its headquarters in Chippenham, Wiltshire, the company delivers weight-saving and high-performance solutions to global partners across the aerospace, automotive, defence, and energy markets.
