More than 140 young minds were shown what a career in engineering can look like after inspiring, eye-opening tours took place across the working shopfloors of the University of Sheffield AMRC to mark National Manufacturing Day.

Now in its fourth year, National Manufacturing Day, headed up by the manufacturers organisation Make UK, has one goal: encourage UK manufacturers to throw open their doors to show young people the amazing career opportunities on offer in manufacturing - in the hope of inspiring them to think about a career in this exciting sector. 

In collaboration with The Work-wise Foundation, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and AMRC Training Centre are avid supporters of the annual awareness day, and this year was no different. 

Nine schools from across  Sheffield and Rotherham brought more than 140 children to visit the AMRC. During the morning, pupils from Wales High School and Aston Academy came to the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 facility, giving them a glimpse into the pioneering innovations and cutting-edge research and technologies its engineers are developing.

Faith Waterhouse, 14, a year ten student at Wales High School, said the Factory 2050 shopfloor experience was ‘so cool’, adding: “I’ve really liked my visit, particularly as I have had an interest of a career in engineering since I was in year seven.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing all of the robots and machines that are here – and it also gives you an idea of what job we could do when we’re older and seeing firsthand the type of things that come with it.”

Alex Platt, 14, also a year ten student from Wales High School, added: “Being here at Factory 2050 has been really interesting as I have never visited a shopfloor on this scale before, so it’s been great to have this opportunity.

“After being here it has really sparked my interest in thinking about an apprenticeship and a career in engineering. My favourite thing that I saw on this visit was the Caterham 7 sports car and learning about the ELLI electrification project.” 

Accompanying students on the visit  was Chloe Tidswell, head of design and technology at Wales High School, who said visiting the research centre was ‘absolutely amazing and really eye opening’. 

She added: “Factory 2050 is modern, clean and has everything you would hope to find goes on here and more – such as all of the different robotics and computer-aided design (CAD) programmes – and it helps to provide links which the students can relate to in their work at school. 

“Being here helps gives our students a hands-on experience; they’ve been able to speak to the engineers here who have themselves been through A-levels, degrees and can provide that reality to explain to our pupils how they have progressed through their own career.”

Matt Farnsworth, AMRC commercial director, helped organise the school tours and highlighted the importance of inspiring young minds to become the next generation of engineers. He said: “Here at the AMRC, we are absolutely delighted to welcome local schools in support of National Manufacturing Day. . 

“We remain committed to supporting our industrial partners with their future skills pipeline and in enabling young people to see the latest cutting-edge innovations and a real-life advanced manufacturing shopfloor. We hope visits such as these inspire the next generation of engineering minds.”

In the afternoon, all the pupils were invited to attend interactive workshops involving engaging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities, including being able to try out an augmented reality welder, robotics coding, using additive manufacturing 3D-pens and creating electric circuits from pre-set electric circuit diagrams. 

They also enjoyed additional tours of other AMRC working shop floors. 

Olivia Wood, 15, a year eleven student from Sheffield’s All Saints Catholic High School, said: "Formula 1 is something I’ve always been excited by since I was little and it has sparked an interest in a career opportunity in engineering or something in that industry. 

“But I’ve now been looking at the aircraft side (of engineering) as well, which has recently become of interest to me. 

“My visit to the AMRC has been a great experience; it’s been really cool to see everything in action. It’s crazy to see how everything is and works and has inspired me to look at a career in this sector.” 

Kingsley Allwood, 16, also a year eleven at All Saints Catholic High School, said it was great to visit the Factory of the Future shopfloor at the AMRC and learn about all the different machines and see  them in action.. 

He said: “Career-wise, I have an interest in aerospace engineering and today is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to visit a shopfloor like this. Now that I’ve visited, it’s really given me a spark to think about this area as a career opportunity more seriously.” 

Leading on the afternoon sessions was Cathie Barker, STEM and outreach coordinator at the AMRC. She said it is important for the AMRC to be involved in events such as National Manufacturing Day, particularly from a STEM point of view, as it not only gives the AMRC and AMRC Training Centre the opportunity to showcase their facilities but also enables them to reach out to young people directly. 

She added: “It allows us to provide them with an opportunity to take part in interactive workshops and take tours of the facilities, with the hope that this will ignite a spark in them to get them thinking about the prospect of a career in engineering.”

Stephen Phipson, chief executive officer of the manufacturers organisation Make UK, said the annual day continues to grow each year and that it’s an opportunity for the sector to come together to celebrate British innovation and showcase the careers on offer to people of all ages across the country.

He added: “Our supporting companies and organisations are at the forefront of technology development and global design. We hope this fourth National Manufacturing Day will encourage people who have never thought of manufacturing as a future career before to come along to see what it is really like. This is a highly paid sector with good jobs which offer something for everyone.”

John Barber, chief executive officer and co-founder of The Work-wise Foundation, said: “Work-wise was established to help bridge the gap between business and education, alongside showcasing the world of work and what career opportunities are on offer to young people. 

“We are delighted to be partnering with Make UK, the University of Sheffield AMRC and AMRC Training Centre again this year to highlight some of the fantastic manufacturing businesses in South Yorkshire and provide insights into advanced manufacturing and the pathways to work available.

“It’s so important to give our future workforce the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge to help them navigate further learning and career choices. We are very grateful to the AMRC and AMRC Training Centre for their continued support for our work.”