The visit was part of Potter Spaces’ ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and gave students an educational and interactive site visit. The visit offered students a chance to explore the world of construction and modern business parks first-hand, experiencing the diverse career opportunities available across the industry.
Students took part in an array of sessions to show the inner workings of a commercial warehouse demonstrating the breadth of business. Potter Space’s Head of Construction, John Royle, introduced the students to the way business parks operate and the construction process, followed by Firth Steels’ PR & Marketing Executive Alexandra Hepworth and Technical Director Sam Hopton, who jointly detailed the steel journey from manufacturing to final product.
They also engaged in two practical workshop activities where they first learnt to build wooden bird boxes, under expert supervision, to teach them assembly skills and how to safely use tools. Their school will now use these boxes to support the local birdlife.
The final session of the day focussed on plumbing and engineering, a hands-on hydrology activity where pupils constructed pipelines and poured water through to experiment gradients and water distribution systems.
John Royle said: “We want to show school kids that modern construction is about far more than just getting your hands dirty. It relies on a diverse range of professionals—from designers and engineers to environmental specialists—using science and innovation to build a sustainable future. By bringing schools to our safe, active sites, we hope to showcase these exciting careers and inspire the next generation to help fill tomorrow’s skills gap.”
Alexandra Hepworth added: “Engaging with young people is essential to showcase that business parks like this are full of varied businesses who all need these spaces to thrive. Today’s visit was about sparking curiosity, building confidence and opening doors for the next generation, and it was great to see how engaged the children were.”
Suzy Smart, Headteacher at Burneston C of E Primary School shared: “The students came away so inspired and had a buzz of excitement following their day at Potter Space Ripon. Taking part in engaging and interactive sessions as well as meeting professionals gave the children real-world experiences and a practical understanding. Being out of the classroom learning new skills is essential for their development and to understand there is a huge variety of professional roles available to them.”
Potter Space believes in the power of collaborations to inspire local businesses and schools and to enrich communities and support local education. Visits like this help to inspire the next generation of future leaders and ensure that the construction industry continues to thrive with diverse, passionate talent at its heart.