Inspiring the next generation of engineers from Coleraine Grammar

We were very pleased to recently host a factory visit for pupils from Coleraine Grammar School as part of a series of visits by local schools. The visit provided valuable insights into the world of work for year twelve pupils and showcased the range of innovative engineering projects that we are involved in.

During the visit, the pupils were given a tour of our factory complex, where they learned about the various processes and technologies that we use in our manufacturing processes. They also had the opportunity to speak to a former apprentice and work placement student about their experiences.

Hutchinson Engineering operates its own Welding Academy, which provides training for anyone aged 16 or over, (preferably with GCSE Maths and English at Grace C or above) and offers a rewarding career path with our company. The Academy provides job-related training to help apprentices understand the technical aspects of welding parameters, meet CE Marking requirements and gain accreditation with coded welding. The Academy’s latest cohort is working on next-generation electric and hydrogen vehicles that will be part of a global clean transport revolution.

At Hutchinson Engineering, we have made significant investments in both laser cutting and robotics. Our firm works with a number of global companies and is currently involved in projects that could transform the future of net zero public transport. We see these school visits as a way to showcase our company and the apprenticeships we offer and to attract the next generation of employees to Hutchinson Engineering.

Company CEO, Mark Hutchinson, was delighted to welcome the Coleraine Grammar School pupils to our factory and hopes the visit sparks an interest in engineering with some of the young people.

We hope to welcome several schools to Hutchinson Engineering in the coming weeks. We see it as a very valuable exercise in showcasing our company and the apprenticeships we offer.

Young people may have a perception about engineering as being a traditional industry, when in reality they could find themselves working alongside robotic welders or have a ‘cobot’ or collaborative robot working as their assistant.

Hutchinson Engineering is a supplier to some of the most technologically advanced machinery manufacturers in the world, so we are always at the forefront of introducing new innovations into our manufacturing processes.

Even for those pupils undecided about a career in welding and fabrication, it was a useful visit as it let them see a live working environment and gave them an opportunity to ask questions.

“Hutchinson Engineering is a family business with deep roots in this community. We are proud to offer employment to local people and we see these school visits as a way of attracting the next generation of employees to Hutchinson Engineering.”

Hutchinson Engineering is a strategic supplier of components and complex sub-assemblies to global brands in the crushing and screening, agricultural and transport sectors such as Wrightbus, Terex, Sandvik, Caterpillar and Metso:Outotec. We are a family business with deep roots in the community, and we are proud to offer employment to local people.

We are currently putting together a programme of school visits, and if there is a school we have not yet reached out to and would like to plan a visit to see our facilities, please get in touch. We’re excited about these visits and really see them as a great way for pupils to find out more about careers in engineering and a great way for us to deepen and strengthen our links to the local community.

For further information on the Hutchinson Engineering Welding Academy, please contact the Human Resources department on 028 2954 0302.