FIRST Skills Change How Students Problem Solve: How Novelis and FIRST Foster STEM Skills for the Future

FIRST^® provides students around the globe with invaluable STEM skills that foster success in future careers at companies like Novelis. A strategic partner and supporter of FIRST since 2012, Novelis has provided event support, meaningful mentorship, nearly a million dollars in team grant funding, and more than 525,000 pounds in recycled aluminum for critical team robot parts, allowing more than 850,000 teams to build and compete around the world.

Their generous support of our mission propels FIRST forward, engaging students in the importance and global impact of recycling and taking care of the planet. With a shared focus on sustainability and innovation, FIRST and Novelis are nurturing both young minds and the planet for future generations.

Novelis is also a proud supporter of the FIRST “Get Anywhere” campaign, a celebration of how FIRST can mitigate STEM-skills gaps found throughout STEM-based careers. Featuring a content series driven by the real-life careers and paths that FIRST alumni take, “Get Anywhere” highlights how the skills learned as a student will take you farther than you can imagine. In this blog, you’ll meet Michael, a FIRST alum who applies his STEM skills every day in his role as a Plant Manager at Novelis.

Meet Michael:

• FIRST Alumni: FIRST^®  Robotics Competition, Team #71 “Team Hammond”
• Role at Novelis: Plant Manager of the Lincolnshire Plant
• How long have you worked at Novelis? Two and a half years

FIRST Staff: While you were growing up, what careers did you see for yourself? What interested you?

Michael: I have always been interested in building and creating and from a young age gravitated toward toys like LEGO^® bricks where I could construct things. At eight years old, I took a woodworking class, which has remained a hobby to this day. I enjoy going out in my shop and the challenge of building something out of used materials.

Inspiring lifelong recyclers: Michael, left, presenting Novelis’ Life of a Can recycling education outreach program to enthusiastic Girl Scouts in his community.

FIRST Staff: Can you tell us when you discovered that STEM aligned with your interests and aspirations?

Michael: High school coursework and my experience as part of the build team for my FIRST Robotics Competition team really solidified engineering was for me. Getting to cut and assemble parts of our robot, and also learn from mentors who were engineers themselves, lit a spark and helped me further develop problem-solving skills. The technical courses I took in college, inclusive of shop, welding, and robotics, solidified my passion and future pathway of manufacturing engineering.

FIRST Staff: Throughout your career, what are different STEM skills you’ve used? How have they been different in each role?

Michael: Early on in my engineering career, I was fortunate to put into practice many of the skills I learned in college. Having the opportunity to successfully manage projects from start to finish including designing parts, overseeing equipment installations, and budgeting have helped bolster my technical skills, while building leadership capabilities.

Being a problem solver is what drives me. As plant manager, I am responsible for overcoming challenges the company might face when it comes to budgeting, achieving aggressive goals, or even attracting and retaining talent.

Quality Control:  Michael, right, and a Novelis colleague reviewing the training procedure for aluminum coil inspection to ensure the rolled aluminum produced for customers is always top quality.

FIRST Staff: Tell us more about Novelis. What are some different industries and roles that leverage STEM skills?

Michael: As a world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, Novelis is constantly innovating. From beverage packaging makers and drink companies, to automotive and aerospace manufacturers, to producers of electronics and building materials, Novelis works closely with our world-renowned customers to develop low-carbon aluminum solutions and drive ingenuity and performance.

Sustainability is at the core of our business, and we’re constantly pushing ourselves to increase the amount of recycled material in our products while reducing our carbon footprint. Last year alone, Novelis recycled more than 82 billion used beverage cans. Working for a company who is not only a leader in aluminum manufacturing, but also sets the standard for aluminum recycling, inspires me every day to pursue operational excellence at my site.

Championing Innovation and Sustainability: Michael, top middle, shares the ingenuity required in the design of aluminum beverage packaging including the Ball Aluminum Cup^® made with Novelis’ infinitely recyclable aluminum.

FIRST Staff: What advice would you give young people who are trying to find their path?

Michael: Try new things. You might be surprised to find out what interests you. Find classes or experiences through programs like FIRST, which will expose you to various disciplines and allow you to build a diverse skillset. In turn, this exposure will allow you to learn what you like, and what you might enjoy pursuing as a career.

While students figure out their tomorrows, FIRST helps them build their skills today. Learn more about how FIRST empowers students to “Get Anywhere.” If you are a FIRST alum, we want to learn about where you are now – share your story on social media with #GetAnywhere or send an email to marketing@firstinspires.org.