Penny Hydraulics’ recent £2million facelift was unveiled to technology students from Shirebrook Academy recently as part of the Made in Chesterfield festival.

In a bid to recruit future engineers to the Clowne-based manufacturer of lifting equipment, the doors to the company’s recently extended site were opened to 30 year 11 students from the school.

Robin Penny, the Managing Director and Owner of Penny Hydraulics who led the students’ tour of the site, explained:-

“Apprentices are the future of our industry. Employers such as myself rely on celebrations such as Made in Chesterfield to encourage young people to take an interest in the sector.”

“Too many students see university as the only route to success. It is events like Made in Chesterfield that allow us to educate young people about the brilliant alternatives to A levels.”

Since founding the company in 1978, Penny Hydraulics has grown significantly. It originally manufactured pit props for the local mining industry but has since diversified, now manufacturing cranes, goods lifts and lifting equipment for the nuclear decommissioning industry. The company now exports to 23 different countries worldwide and employs 85 people.

Shirebrook Academy student Annalise Cooper, who took part in tour, commented:-

“I’d always had my heart set on law, but then I started going to open days and saw all of the facilities now available, especially at West Notts. and Penny Hydraulics.

“I study resistant materials at school and really love both the theory and practical side of the lesson.

“Today has opened my mind. I have seen all the things that can be done here, and the different roles people have. I am now definitely considering a career in engineering.”

Organised by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, the month-long Made in Chesterfield festival in November is designed to show young people and their teachers the modern face of manufacturing and engineering and the many careers and job roles on offer within the sector locally.

Sponsored by University of Derby and MSE Hiller, more manufacturing and engineering businesses, training providers and visitor attractions are involved in this year’s Made in Chesterfield than ever before. As well as Penny Hydraulics, modern-day gift maker Urban Flamingo, Paul Mossman Pottery, Brampton Brewery, NLT, Techman Engineering and MSE Hiller were amongst more than 20 businesses and training providers that have provided tours, talks and competitions during Made in Chesterfield to nearly 350 Year 6 to 13 school children.

Robin Penny added:-

“We do a lot of things with local schools and universities as we want to attract people to work for our business. Recruiting the next generation of engineers to Penny Hydraulics is very important to us and we’ve been addressing recruitment issues for the last five years working closely with NLT and AMRC.”

As part of the town’s annual Made in Chesterfield festival, which celebrates the manufacturing and engineering sector, six Year 10 students from Heritage High School visited MSE Hiller, based at Markham Vale.

The popular month-long festival, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield and brings businesses, primary and secondary schools and training providers together to showcase the sector to school children across north east Derbyshire

This year, more local engineering and manufacturing firms than ever have signed up to offer students a chance to tour their facilities and try their hand at a range of activities in a bid to spark their interest in a career in the sector.

Other manufacturing businesses offering secondary school experiences include United Cast Bar, Brampton Brewery, Cathelco, Techman Engineering, Palamatic, Trans-Tronic and Precision Products UK, while Mintdale Engineering and Krantech have organised tours for primary schools at their facilities.

‘Hands on’ education was the name when six Year 10 Engineering students from Heritage High School visited MSE Hiller, based at Markham Vale for some practical work experience.

The day began with a tour of the work site. Interesting sights included viewing one of MSE Hiller’s machines worth £1 million, which is one of the largest machines in the country. Also impressive was the large indoor concrete bunker which protectively houses a massive centrifuge.

Seeing the way that sludge and water are separated was demonstrated in the laboratory.

One student, Harry Clarkson said:-

‘This was just like our school science labs but much more modern and state of the art.’

After an informative video presentation explaining how hydraulics work and looking at the different components of Hiller’s machinery, students were literally thrown in at the deep end of engineering and asked to weld metal together and imprint their initials upon it.

Students donned overalls, steel capped boots and welding helmets to begin their first practical engineering task. The difficulties of the task were soon obvious.

Adam Hendley, Heritage student admitted:-

‘It was a bit daunting to start with but luckily I soon got the hang of it!’

The visit was set up by Mrs Oley-Jones, the school’s Alternative Curriculum & Achievement Coordinator as part of November’s Made in Chesterfield festival which celebrates local manufacturing.

Student Owen Ordidge highlighted the positive nature of the work experience. He said:-

‘The visit has made me much keener to focus on Engineering GCSE. Now that I have experienced how the subject comes alive in the work place, it has made me realise that studying in the first instance is the key to doing well in a subject like Engineering.’

Visits like these are invaluable to secondary school students as they are able to witness engineering skills first hand and with facilities that just can’t be replicated in a school environment.

Made in Chesterfield is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, NatWest, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Placing Futures, NLT Training, Department of International Trade, East Midlands Chamber, the University of Derby and Positive 4 Young People.

The annual festival celebrating the manufacturing and engineering sector in the town –  Made in Chesterfield, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield, returns for the third year running in November.

Throughout the month of November, Destination Chesterfield has teamed up with a number of partners to organise a packed programme of business events designed to give companies currently operating in the sector the opportunity to learn about the latest news, developments, funding and training opportunities available.

The events are all free and people from businesses operating within the town’s engineering and manufacturing sector are being called on to show their support and attend the events.

The month-long Made in Chesterfield festival is being launched on Wednesday 2 November at a Champions-only event being held at University of Derby’s new campus in the St. Helena building. For non-Champions there is also an opportunity to find out about the new University of Derby Chesterfield Campus on 9 November at a free-to-attend breakfast seminar, organised in association with Destination Chesterfield, MSE Hiller and the University of Derby.

The Made in Chesterfield business events include:

2 November                Made in Chesterfield launch – University of Derby, St Helenas

3 November                D2N2 Business Breakfast Series 2016 – Proact Stadium

9 November                Find out about the new University of Derby Chesterfield Campus – University of Derby, St Helenas

16 November              Exporting: Is it for you? – NatWest

17 November              Annual Business and Manufacturing Seminar – Proact Stadium

17 November              Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Manufacturing Forum – Casa Hotel

18 November              Chamber Business Lunch – Ringwood Hall Hotel

24 November              Derbyshire Times and Destination Chesterfield Round Table – University of Derby

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield manager said: “The ongoing support of companies in the sector is vital to the success of Made in Chesterfield, and I am delighted that more businesses than ever have got involved this year. We have a packed programme of business and school events which will make the festival our most successful yet.”

During the month-long Made in Chesterfield celebration of the sector, the Manufacturer of the Year will be announced at the Derbyshire Times Business Awards on 10 November.

Made in Chesterfield is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, Natwest, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Placing Futures, NLT Training, Department of International Trade, East Midlands Chamber, the University of Derby and Positive 4 Young People.

Full details of all the events and how to book can be found at  www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/business-events

How part-time study can boost your career without affecting your lifestyle  will be revealed by the University of Derby’s team at its new Chesterfield Campus on October 27.

Professionals aiming to get ahead can meet the team at the Sheffield Road site for a Professional and Part-Time Study Open Evening.

From 4pm-7pm, University lecturers will be at the Campus in the former St Helena’s grammar school to outline the range of business, engineering, IT and health care courses on offer.

Professor Margaret Bruce, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, at the University of Derby explained the benefits of part-time study: “Our flexible approach to teaching and learning enables you to fit studying around your other commitments.

“That means you can gain a professional qualification whilst working, to help further your career, broadening your skills and knowledge in a flexible way, without it affecting your lifestyle.”

Courses available through part-time study in Chesterfield are:

• HND Business and Management
• BEng (Hons) Professional Engineering

• FdSc Information Technology
• Continuing Professional Development in Health and Social Care

The Campus, due to open this month, has had a multi-million pound conversion which has been sympathetic to the listed St Helena’s building, conserving as many of its historic features as possible.

Professional and Part-Time Study Open Evening Location: Chesterfield Campus,  Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 7LU, October 27, 4pm to 7pm.

Booking is essential: visit derby.ac.uk/open days.