Hi
Would anyone have any ideas of a practical group exercise I could use during an Assessment Centre for a group of potential engineering apprentices. It needs to be setting them a task to design and build something so we can assess namely their creativity, problem solving, team work and apptitude to undertake a practical task.
Last year we got them to develop a cart and whilst this worked I wondered if there might be other exercises that have been used to give me a fresh approach?
Many thanks
Ursula
3 Responses
Crypton Factor
Hi Ursula
Metalog have some really good exercises / tasks that would work.
I think a variety of exercises would work best to demonstrate different skills rather than just one big project.
Good luck
Steve
how much time and what type of apprentices?
I have used an activity where the group are given a gap (between two fixed tables), a ream of A4 paper, two hundred paper fasterners and a hole punch. There is a radio controlled car that needs to cross the gap in X hours or minutes time. They have to plan and contruct a suitable load bearing bridge. This should test all the things you want to assess
Rus
More specific
Sorry should have been more specific
Metalog tools that would be good for problem solving are Comminic8 and Team2
For bigger projects MTA are quite useful like this one…
http://www.mtalearning.com/training-and-learning-skills/team-skills-activities.html
Other things you could try are
Each of the above will give a very clear indication of dexterity which is a "must have" quality for most Engineering roles.
Its also useful to have some written competencies to measure against to make sure you are anylising the results of each exercise fairly and consistently.
Good luck
Steve