Case Study: Armstrong Fluid Technology Company
Event: Armstrong Fluid Technology Company – Ian Harris
Number of pupils attending: 11
Aim of the Activity
- Our Careers adviser Paula Collins has set up a range of visits to local employers within and around Worcester to support our Year 11 students. Visit planned for students to:
- Increase employer engagement
- The workings of a workplace visit
- Raise students’ aspirations
- Raising industry sectors profile and appeal to students
- Providing LMI learning Future apprenticeships
- Linking Gatsby Benchmark 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Activity
Pupils were excited for their visit to Armstrong Fluid Technology Company, which is based at Droitwich, with vast experience in machine tool applications for almost every industry sector.
We arrived prompt at 10am as we wanted to make a good impression and were greeted by Ian in the main area of reception. We were then taken to one of their executive rooms to have an overview of the company. We watched a PowerPoint presentation which gave an overview of the company, the countries they are situated in and how they make their money.
Ian spoke to the students about the products they make, how expensive the machinery is and how the company work on a day to day running. Armstrong product and service solutions balance building lifecycle performance with environmental sustainability. Our connected fluid flow solutions provide optimal efficiency and complete system transparency through real-time HVAC performance data and unrivalled intelligence.
We were taken on a tour of the production warehouse by Ian and Joanne the marketing executive to see on a first-hand basis the machinery being created. There were massive machines which they place a sheet of steel into, then the programme with cut the parts needed. The robot can be reprogrammed to do many different jobs. The pupils were blown away by the technology and stood just gazing at the sheer size and magnitude of the machinery and what it could do.
The machinery is purposely built within the building so it can be quickly distributed around the country. These machines were huge and cost millions of pounds!! We were not allowed to take any photos due to the advance technology being used.
The pupils were fascinated by the whole experience.
The company also have an apprenticeship scheme. To be considered, students need to have at least 3 GCSEs of grade 4 or above. It is a 2-3-year programme that is supported through their own training provider. They work in all areas of the company, and they can choose the field they want to progress into, there is many job sector roles available. This gave our students lots to think about.
Impact of Activity
The students were engaged throughout and had never experienced anything like this. It showed them what they could achieve if they put their minds to it. The visit also exposed the students to different job roles within the company, from HR, designers, buyers and engineers.
Quotes from the Students
- ‘How much does an apprenticeship earn’
- ‘Does the machine work all the time’
- ‘Yes, it is programmed to work, unless there is a problem and then it will stop and highlight what is wrong’
- ‘How does the robot arm know to move’
The visit was extremely beneficial for the students, they all engaged well and asked a range of questions relating to the engineering world. One student was blown away by the apprenticeship scheme and spoke to Ian on a 1-1 basis asking relating questions to suit his own lifestyle, this student in question is currently applying for an apprenticeship role with Armstrong Fluid Technology, he has been in contact to arrange a meeting with Ian for future choices. A work experience placement has been secured for 1 student leading from this visit.
The students will now complete some research about other similar companies and how they compare.
