A collaboration between Next Gen Makers and Engineers Insight is set to showcase what working life is like in UK engineering & manufacturing and inspire the next generation across the country.
‘Through the Factory’ is a series of videos created by Engineers Insight Co-founder Tom Flude to inspire the next generation of engineers.
The mission? Show the real people, culture, and innovation behind British factories — and prove that modern engineering is anything but old-fashioned.
In the first full episode of Through the Factory, host Thomas Flude visited Rochdale based Salt Separation Services – a world leader in water treatment and desalination systems – to discover how this UK manufacturer is solving one of humanity’s biggest challenges: clean water.
From their apprentices learning engineering to the complex systems that keep offshore rigs, naval ships, and global communities supplied with fresh water, this episode shows how British manufacturing quietly keeps the world running.
Through the collaboration with Next Gen Makers, episodes of Through the Factory will feature within a brand new ‘Virtual Work Insight’ programme set to launch late January 2026 within the Next Gen Makers Engineering Careers Platform.
Thousands of High Schools, UTC’s and Colleges across England are set to access the Virtual Work Insights programme upon launch as a vital source of STEM careers advice & guidance. The programme adds to Next Gen Makers existing ‘Excellent Employer’ Careers Platform, which also signposts those interested to finding the best employers for engineering apprenticeships in their area.
The initiative builds on Engineers Insight’s existing work with the Design & Technology Association to change perceptions of manufacturing at scale, through their network of 43,000 D&T teachers.
Thanks to the Engineers Insight collaboration, member companies of Next Gen Makers can feature their own company in the series at a reduced cost.
The first to take up the opportunity is Birmingham based Sertec Group Ltd, holders of the prestigious Gold standard ‘Excellent Employer’ status for the Next Gen Makers Engineering Apprenticeships: Employer Accreditation.
The Accreditation (backed by strategic partner and leading manufacturing body Make UK) recognises Sertec Group as one of the leading companies in the UK for engineering apprenticeships – based on the feedback of their existing engineering apprentices.
On the collaboration with Next Gen Makers, Tom Flude Co-Founder of Engineers Insight comments: “We keep talking about the engineering skills gap, but we rarely talk about why it exists. Most young people never see a modern factory, never meet an engineer, and never understand what these careers really involve. Through the Factory was built to change that. If we can’t get every student onto a factory floor, then we’ll bring the factory to them – at scale, in a way that’s real, engaging, and rooted in British manufacturing.”
Adam Tipper, Founder and MD of Next Gen Makers adds: “Whilst there is no substitute for in person experiences of engineering and manufacturing companies and getting onto the factory floor, so many schools still struggle to get students out of the classroom.
“The number of young engineers required to fill the UK engineering skills shortage is vast, but the number of young people we need to inform and inspire to achieve that is far greater.
“It is vital therefore that we find creative ways of getting industry into the classroom in a way that engages, inspires and sparks interest in a career in the sector. Our collaboration with Engineers Insight builds on the excellent work we have started with our Engineering Careers Platform and is just the start of things to come as we make this the ‘go to’ source of STEM guidance and signposting in England”.
Through their mobile app, Engineers Insight are on a mission to build the central, agnostic platform for the manufacturing industry. They have partnered with the largest manufacturers in the world to get the newest innovations to market, and to give engineers a single source location for everything they need.
If you are interested in learning more about featuring your company in the Engineers Insight ‘Through the Factory’ series, contact Tom Flude directly via thomas.flude@engineersinsight.co.uk. Member companies of Next Gen Makers should quote ‘NEXTGEN’ for an exclusive discount.
To learn more about how membership of Next Gen Makers can make your business more successful in attracting and retaining young engineering talent, visit nextgenmakers.co.uk