Engineers of the future! Sophie & Max joined us for a week
Last week we welcomed Sophie and Max into the team for a week of industry work experience – working in all areas of the business to gain invaluable insight into the process of designing and building our products.
Last week we welcomed Sophie and Max into the team for a week of industry work experience – working in all areas of the business to gain invaluable insight into the process of designing and building our products.
Sophie Joined us from Pingle Academy in Swadlincote, and Max from Burton College – Both applied directly to us for their placements, showing great initiative.
They started their week in the design office, working with Warwick to create 3D models in SolidWorks, they them moved on through the factory taking part in all areas of production, from the CNC Laser cutters to the welding & assembly, powder coating, inspection and yard work.
Having students gain work experience even for just a week, can offer them a range of valuable benefits. Here’s a breakdown of how they can benefit:
🚀 Real-World Insight
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Exposure to the industry: Students get a firsthand look at how an engineering and welding business operates, which is far more engaging and informative than learning from books or videos.
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Understanding career paths: They can explore different roles within the company—welders, engineers, designers, technicians, supervisors—which helps them see what career might suit them best.
🛠️ Hands-On Experience
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Practical skills: Even with safety restrictions in place, students can observe or assist with basic tasks, learning how tools and machinery are used in real-world projects.
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Workplace habits: They learn the importance of punctuality, teamwork, attention to detail, and health and safety procedures.
💬 Professional Development
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Communication skills: Interacting with experienced professionals improves their confidence and helps them practice clear, respectful communication.
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Teamwork: Being part of a working team—even briefly—teaches them how to cooperate and contribute effectively.
🧠 Learning from Experts
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Mentorship: They can ask questions and learn directly from skilled tradespeople and engineers, gaining knowledge that can’t always be found in a classroom.
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Problem-solving: Observing how real problems are diagnosed and solved in the workshop or office environment can be eye-opening.
📄 Future Opportunities
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CV building: Work experience adds value to their CVs or college applications, showing initiative and interest in a skilled trade or engineering.
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Networking: They begin to build connections that could help with future apprenticeships or job opportunities.
🔧 Inspiration and Motivation
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Boosts enthusiasm: Seeing the real-world impact of engineering and welding—how things are built and fixed—can spark genuine interest and passion.
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Sense of achievement: Completing a week in a professional setting can boost self-esteem and give them a sense of purpose.
Acres have a range of standard products but also support clients with custom machinery and medium-high volume products such as trolleys, stillages etc.
We have manufactured lots of different tables / workstations / workbenches for various industries.
We also manufacture access platforms, jigs and fixtures and many other types of production support solutions / products.
Talk to us today about your requirements: [email protected] / 01332695240 / Contact Us Form
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Want to know more about Acres Engineering?
We are based in the UK from our Headquarters in Derbyshire, England and have a European office in Malaga, Spain within the EU.
Find out more about where we have been and what we have been up to by checking out our latest blog posts.
Take a look at how we support of the Armed Forces, STEM/Schools and Charities.
As a world leader in our field, we offer a range of information guides sharing best practice with our clients.
We make it easy to engage with us, we are approved on: EcoVadis (external) / JOSCAR (external) / AVETTA (external) / COUPA (external) / SAP ARIBA (external) / DEEPSTREAM (external) ….you can download our BSI / Insurance certificates here.
