What could your business achieve in just two hours? For two Greater Lincolnshire manufacturers, it was an opportunity to showcase their industry, introduce career pathways and inspire future talent.
As part of National Manufacturing Day, Mastenbroek Ltd in Boston and Guttridge Ltd in Spalding welcomed 120 students from nine local schools on 23rd and 24th September 2026.
Coordinated by the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub, the visits gave students in Year 10 and above the chance to explore real workplaces, meet industry professionals and take part in hands-on engineering and manufacturing activities.
With visits lasting just 90 minutes to two hours, both businesses showed how meaningful workplace experiences can fit around existing operations and require only a small-time commitment.
Bringing Manufacturing and Engineering Careers to Life
At Guttridge Ltd, students explored different departments during a guided tour, seeing manufacturing processes in action and speaking directly with employees about their work.
They also took part in practical activities, handling engineering materials, exploring models and trying reverse engineering and computer-aided design (CAD), helping them understand how ideas and designs become finished products.
Reflecting on the visit, Guttridge shared:
“The students seemed engaged and once they became a bit more confident, asked insightful and technical questions linked to the prepared worksheets.”
At Mastenbroek Ltd, students explored the production of specialist trenching and drainage machinery through a combination of practical challenges and a workplace tour.
Working in teams, they took on different business roles to complete a manufacturing challenge, putting their teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills into practice.
Students also met employees and apprentices, explored CAD software and saw machinery at different stages of production, before watching an outdoor demonstration of a finished Bulldog trenching machine.
Mastenbroek commented:
“The energy in the room was incredible as the two teams competed against each other in the design and manufacturing challenge which we had tasked them with”
Staff from Boston College also attended, providing students with information about engineering and manufacturing qualifications, apprenticeships and training pathways.
For both businesses, the visits provided an opportunity to showcase the variety of roles within manufacturing, introduce young people to potential career pathways and build stronger connections with local schools. By involving employees and apprentices in activities linked to their everyday work, they could share their expertise without committing to lengthy placements.
The Impact of Opening Their Doors
The experience helped students connect classroom learning with real careers, build confidence and explore opportunities within engineering and manufacturing.
One teacher shared how the experience had helped a student feel more certain about her future:
“One student in particular who already has a good idea of what type of job she would like has said that this has completely confirmed that she wants to follow an engineering pathway. She fully engaged with the day and has even come up to me when I was on duty saying how pleased she was she got to go on the visit.”
Students also valued the practical, hands-on activities and opportunities to meet employees. When asked what they enjoyed most, students commented:
- “Looking at how the employees build the machine.”
- “The activities and friendly employees”
- “Putting together the bulldog machine with my team, I found it fun because we all got to work together to create a paper version of the bulldog”
For Guttridge and Mastenbroek, the visits offered an opportunity to strengthen relationships with local schools, raise awareness of their industry and introduce young people to the skills and careers available within their businesses.
Small Time Commitments, Valuable Opportunities
Mastenbroek and Guttridge showed that meaningful workplace experiences do not require lengthy placements. Through workplace tours, practical challenges and conversations with staff, they introduced young people to their industry while raising awareness of local career opportunities.
Other businesses can take a similarly flexible approach, choosing activities that reflect their own people, expertise and available time.
Could your business get involved?
You do not need to offer a lengthy placement to make an impact. Whether you can welcome students for a workplace visit, deliver a practical activity or share your industry knowledge, the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub can help you explore opportunities that work for your business.
Find out more through the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub or register an opportunity on the Work Experience Finder.
Alternatively, contact GLCareersHub@lincolnshire.gov.uk to discuss getting involved.