Elutec Academy Sixth Form Students Produce Test Tube Holders for COVID-19 Testing Sites in Havering

Elutec Academy students stepped in to develop vital equipment for local COVID testing sites when all other options failed.

The students were asked to use their engineering skills to produce bespoke test tube holders for COVID-19 testing sites in Havering.

The test tube holders are fundamental to the smooth running of testing, and with the laser cutting facilities and equipment available to students at Elutec Academy, the students were more than keen to get to work and support the local community.

Year 12 students Clark, Edward and Fane, along with others, were keen to contribute their time and effort to support the cause and put their skills to good use in the engineering workshop. The large workshop facilities at Elutec allowed the students to work safely.

The students chose to manufacture the test tube holders using acrylic, as a non-porous material, to enable the holders to be cleaned at the required safe level and also branded them with the Elutec name.

Head of Faculty for Engineering, Claire Bannister said:

"I am really pleased that we can again support the local community in manufacturing and supplying these test tube holders, after making and supplying face visors in the first lockdown."

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said:

"We are really grateful to Claire and the students at Elutec, who stepped in when we were at a loss about where to go to have these bespoke test tube holders made. The students at Elutec have done an amazing job of creating and branding the holder and will make the role of the COVID workers much more easier to do."