Pipers students take a trip to SONY

During our recent visit to Sony UK in Pencoed, South Wales, students spent time in the Rapid Prototyping department where they saw 3D printing development and manufacturing in action in a Robotics lab.

The Sony development team were incredibly welcoming and spent time detailing the steps to take when moving into the STEAM field of design and manufacturing, whilst understanding the demands of the business. Students were treated to seminars on Japanese culture which included a making exercise, with key employees spending time with the students demonstrating how Sony UK works, what they do and the benefits of their working model. Throughout the tour, students could see tangible evidence of the importance Sony put on quality and creativity.

22 senior school students and three staff received a rare-insight from Sony staff, who outlined their career paths, whilst also demonstrating some of the many production processes. One of the students’ highlights was talking to Sony’s young apprentices, some of which have only just completed their GCSEs, enabling our students to imagine being in a similar position in only a few years. One of Sony’s Managing Directors came to speak with Pipers students and gave some words of wisdom about his journey and what he wants to give back with the provision of opportunities for young designers and engineers. He made it clear that there is no set path from which a leading-engineer can come.

The aim of this incredible visit was to inspire our students, giving them first-hand experience of a leading global brand who invest hundreds of millions of pounds on Research and Development, giving them the opportunity to see the use of robotics in manufacturing, to meet experts in the Technology industry who would inspire our students by sharing their own career journeys.

The whole trip covered a number of key components of the STEAM programme.

The students learnt a great deal from this incredible opportunity. They were given lots to think about for the future, especially regarding potential careers in the Technology industry. We would like to thank staff at Sony for affording Pipers’ students the opportunity to see how Sony’s operation works on the factory floor.