Manrose, a UK-based ventilation manufacturer, invited Gabriel Hogan to spend the day with its team in response to a social media request from Surrey Choices, an organisation helping people with disabilities and support needs to access work-based alternative education programmes.
Surrey Choices was looking for work experience opportunities for Gabriel, who has autism and ADHD, in his area of special interest, HVAC and fans, the company said.
Gabriel was shown around the busy factory by Barry Smith, health and safety manager at Manrose. The specially arranged tour included 45-minute visits to each of the key departments, where Gabriel could be involved with the different steps of the manufacturing process.
Barry said: “It was an absolute pleasure to show Gabriel around the Manrose manufacturing facility. He’s a very knowledgeable young man who engaged with every stage of the process our products go through – he particularly enjoyed the production and packing parts of the day.”
Sarah Oxby, employability and communities manager at Surrey Choices, added: “Gabriel has had a fantastic day at Manrose. It was a wonderful experience for him to see the fans being made in the factory environment and his knowledge of this subject is huge. He is very eager to take up more work experience opportunities in this sector.”
Barbara Hogan, Gabriel’s mum, said: “He returned from the visit full of excitement and enthusiasm. I would like to thank all the staff who spent time with Gabriel explaining and demonstrating the different stages of production and helping him to be involved. It has fuelled his passion for your products, and stimulated his interest in exploring employment possibilities within this industry.”