Ideal Heating has once again given students an insight into the breadth of careers available at the company as it celebrated National Manufacturing Day 2025.
The UK heating market leader welcomed students to its headquarters in Hull for a behind-the-scenes tour of its operations as part of the Humberside Schools Roadshow.
Students toured Ideal Heating’s production factory and learned about the products and technologies which have helped the company become one of the UK’s leading manufacturers.
The visit also included insights into employment opportunities and recruitment pathways, with students hearing directly from Ideal Heating apprentices Alistair Swyer and Lewis Speedy, about their journeys since joining the business and the opportunities the company has provided to them.
Ideal Heating hosted the visit to celebrate National Manufacturing Day. Organised by industry body Make UK, the day raises awareness of the diversity of careers and opportunities in manufacturing across the UK.
Ideal Heating Production Director John Cook said: “We’re delighted to have opened our doors once again for National Manufacturing Day. It’s massively important in attracting young talent to an industry that’s increasingly struggling to attract and retain it.
“If we can get that first contact with people at this stage and get them thinking about what they want to do with their careers, we can help provide that little spark that leads young adults on the path to a really great career in manufacturing.
“Opportunities like this where we can work with schools and colleges, not just close to our Hull site, but a little bit further afield and spread the word wider, are just fantastic.
“We’ll continue to support National Manufacturing Day because it’s important to build our reputation and talent pipeline so young people aspire to come and join us on the journey.”
Students from Wyke Sixth Form College in Hull and Doncaster University Technical College (UTC) toured Ideal Heating’s impressive production operations during the visit to the site in National Avenue, Hull.
The students asked questions about automation, with many surprised to see so much of it in the factory. They also enquired about the boiler market and the growing heat pump sector, as well as how many members of staff have come through an apprentice route.
In addition, students gained valuable insights into Ideal Heating’s recruitment processes and the various career pathways available within the company.
Ideal Heating is the UK’s domestic and commercial heating market leader and has been keeping homes and business premises warm for more than a century.
The business is currently embarking on a dramatic transformation, as it begins to transition its focus towards renewable technologies, including heat pumps, while continuing to develop and manufacture the traditional gas-powered products which have helped it become the major UK manufacturer it is today.
Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO of Make UK, said: “National Manufacturing Day is growing every year and brings together the diverse sector I am privileged to represent to celebrate the innovations British companies deliver every day and showcase the careers on offer across the country.
“Our companies are at the forefront of technology development, and we hope this fourth National Manufacturing Day has encouraged people to come along, see first-hand what it is really like, and explore the opportunities available for all. I started my career as an apprentice engineer, and it is a decision I have never regretted.”
National Manufacturing Day showcases the variety of modern manufacturing careers, as well as promoting opportunities for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) careers and widening diversity in the industry. It also aims to attract new talent for businesses looking to develop their future skills pipeline.
Dave Amory, Projects and Marketing Manager at The Work-wise Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes smarter working practices and who helped organise the visit to Ideal Heating, said “The National Manufacturing Day Schools Roadshow is a fantastic opportunity to showcase businesses like Ideal Heating and engage with future talent. Hopefully the next generation has felt inspired by today’s visit and are excited by the prospect of careers in manufacturing.”
To find out more about National Manufacturing Day, visit www.nationalmaufacturingday.org