On Thursday 26 September, year 11 students from Walton Academy took part in visits to two leading local businesses, Pentangle Engineering Services Ltd and Viking Signs Ltd. These visits were organised as part of National Manufacturing Day, offering students a unique opportunity to explore the world of engineering and manufacturing. The students got a behind-the-scenes look at modern manufacturing processes and discovered the wide range of skilled career paths available in this thriving industry.
Morning visit: Pentangle Engineering Services Ltd
In the morning, 10 students visited Pentangle Engineering Services Ltd, a company established in 2004 with a team of 25 members. Specialising in robotic systems and automation for the automotive sector, Pentangle offers a wide range of services, including robot welding, mechanical and electrical design, and automation solutions.
During the hour-long tour, students learned about the advanced fabrication processes, such as laser cutting, CNC press bending, and metal rolling. A key focus of the visit was Pentangle’s commitment to sustainability. They introduced their heritage metalcraft initiative, which repurposes scrap metal to create artistic items for sale to the public.
Afternoon visit: Viking Signs Ltd
In the afternoon, another group of 10 students visited Viking Signs Ltd, a digital on-demand manufacturing company specialising in the production of safety signs and labels. With a team of 20, Viking Signs is at the forefront of Industry 4.0, utilising fully automated processes that allow for same-day production and shipping of over 2,500 signs daily.
Students were taken through the production workflow, witnessing laser engraving, control panel printing, and digital CNC cutting in action. Viking Signs’ use of advanced technology highlighted the importance of innovation and precision in today’s manufacturing processes.
A valuable learning experience
The visits gave students the chance to engage directly with industry professionals and learn about various career paths in manufacturing. With the UK manufacturing sector contributing £224 billion to the economy and employing over 2.6 million people, the day emphasised the importance of the sector. Students were also introduced to the idea of apprenticeships as a valuable post-school or college option.
Gratitude for an inspiring day
We would like to thank Ms Emerald, our dedicated careers lead, for organising this fantastic event, and extend our gratitude to Pentangle Engineering Services Ltd and Viking Signs Ltd for welcoming our students and demonstrating the value of a career in manufacturing.
