As one of Welshpool’s largest local employers, variable speed drives manufacturer Invertek Drives, is well aware of the importance of ensuring the town’s young people have the skills needed to ensure they are employable when they leave education.

The independently owned company has worked closely with Welshpool High School for almost three years by investing in a range of high-tech equipment including interactive white boards, computer software and most recently, iPads, which are used in every lesson taught in the languages department.

This is particularly fitting as Invertek’s products are now sold in more than 80 countries worldwide, as Operations Director, Charles Haspel, explains, “We started the business here in Welshpool 15 years ago and since then the company has grown into a multi-national operator. We work with a network of international sales partners around the world and have extremely high ambitions for the future of the company.

“Invertek is currently expanding in Welshpool with a new ‘Express Centre’ at Buttington Cross - a 1,000m2 facility specialising in rapid delivery solutions, which became operational on 1st February 2014.”

Historically, post-18 opportunities in Welshpool have been limited and the town has seen many of its youngsters leave to pursue either further education or employment opportunities elsewhere.

David Jones-Evans, Training and Manufacturing Engineer at Invertek, comments, “As a high-tech industry, we are keen to raise awareness of the opportunities on offer at Invertek for young people. We run a number of work experience and industrial placement programs to ensure Welshpool’s young people can see the opportunities offered by the high-tech engineering industry on their doorstep.”

Pupils from Welshpool High School have visited Invertek’s modern production facility on a number of occasions to get a flavour of what it is like to work for a multi-national organisation.

Miss Natasha O’Sullivan, Head of Spanish at WHS, concludes, “Giving students a real insight into industry is invaluable in opening their eyes to the vast array of opportunities that are open to them when they leave school.

“We are looking forward to developing our links with Invertek Drives to ensure as many young people as possible are aware of the innovation taking place here in Welshpool and how it links with the international business community.”