The Careers Team recently arranged a unique visit to Panorama Antennas in Wandsworth for our Multi Skills students as part of National Manufacturing Day, which celebrates the UK's thriving manufacturing sector.
Panorama Antennas, a leading designer and manufacturer of antennas for wireless communication, opened its factory doors to local students for the first time. The company produces antennas used by organisations including the emergency services, Transport for London (TfL), and many of the world's leading communications companies.
Two groups of Multi Skills students took part in the visit, gaining valuable insight into the world of manufacturing and engineering. During the tour, students met members of the Panorama team and observed the various stages of the production process, seeing first-hand how products are designed, developed and manufactured.
A particular highlight of the visit was a presentation from the company's design team, who explained the journey from a client brief through prototype development and testing to the creation of the finished product. Students learned about the importance of innovation, problem-solving and quality control in modern manufacturing.
The experience gave students a real-world understanding of how the skills they are developing in college can be applied in industry and introduced them to a range of exciting career opportunities within the manufacturing sector.
Victoria Wilson, HR Director at Panorama Antennas, said:
"We were delighted to welcome students from South Thames College to Panorama Antennas for National Manufacturing Day. We are always pleased to open our doors to inspire and encourage the next generation of engineers, designers and innovators."
Neil Luscombe, Mechanical Design Engineer at Panorama Antennas, added:
"I enjoyed the day, and it was great to see how interested the group was in learning about how we design and develop our products. I hope the experience has helped inspire the next generation of engineers and designers."
Michael Radford, Production Manager at Panorama Antennas, said:
"It was such an honour for Panorama to share our work with local students; we are both proud to showcase what we do and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to inspire the next generation. We loved welcoming the students today and experiencing their enthusiasm firsthand."
Students were equally enthusiastic about the experience.
Ashton Biggs said:
"The trip to Panorama Antennas was a great experience that helped me understand the different types of antennas, how they are made and what they are used for."
Tyler Robinson said:
"I enjoyed visiting Panorama Antennas because I learned about the process of designing and manufacturing antennas, from the first design through to the finished product."
Victor Thomas added:
"The site visit to Panorama Antennas was interesting and informative, as it showed me the importance of accuracy and quality when making products."
A huge thank you to the team at Panorama Antennas for providing such an engaging and informative experience. Visits like these help inspire our students, broaden their understanding of industry, and support them in exploring future career pathways while showcasing the exciting opportunities available within the manufacturing sector.
