Engineering students step into the future with exclusive Filtronic visit
A group of aspiring engineering students from South West Durham Training (SWDT) were given a glimpse into the future of global communications and defence technology during an exclusive visit to Filtronic.
Filtronic, based at NetPark in Sedgefield, is a global technology leader with over 50 years of innovation in radio frequency (RF) and microwave technologies.
The company engineers high-performance connectivity solutions for the defence, space and terrestrial sectors – designing systems for environments where precision and trust is vital.
The SWDT students were given a rare look at how next-generation systems don’t just operate in isolation during the tour, but function as one cohesive unit to power global communications networks, aerospace platforms and advanced sensing.
The visit provided invaluable context to their classroom studies.
“It was a brilliant opportunity to learn more about the engineering industry and get an insight into what it could be like to work in a professional engineering environment,” said student Leon Bradley.
Fellow student Oliver Little echoed that, saying: “It was great to see a professional workplace first-hand and get a better insight into what it’s like to work in an engineering environment. It was really interesting to see how everything works in a real-world setting.”
The cohort was also able to interact with industry experts.
Student Albie Pipe-Fahey said: “It was a really good learning experience and great to see a modern working environment in action. I also enjoyed meeting and speaking to people in more senior roles and finding out more about their experience.”
Student Jake Carson enjoyed seeing the manufacturing process up close.
He said: “It was really interesting to see the machines and working parts carrying out their roles in real time. It gave us a much better understanding of how the equipment and processes work in a real engineering environment.”
Sarah Merryweather, the Senior Business Development Adviser at SWDT, part of Bishop Auckland College Group, accompanied the students on the trip.
Sarah said: “Going into a world-class facility like Filtronic and witnessing firsthand how these advanced systems are developed is an immeasurable benefit to our learners.
“Visits like this are incredibly important for our students. They bridge the gap between classroom theory and industry reality, allowing them to see the tangible impact of engineering excellence and inspiring them as they prepare for their own careers.”
Filtronic’s success is built on continuously pushing the boundaries of high-frequency performance.
Driven by a commitment to operational advantage, the company invests heavily in advanced research, engineering and manufacturing to stay ahead of what’s next.
However, the company also recognises that shaping tomorrow’s communication and sensing systems requires investing in tomorrow’s talent.
Bruce Mair, Talent Partner at Filtronic, said: “Providing students with a valuable lesson in how we develop innovative technologies is absolutely vital for the future of our industry.
“Working closely with students and South West Durham Training allows us to encourage and develop the next generation of our workforce.
“By giving them a practical look at what we do, we hope to inspire these young engineers to become the innovators who will continue our 50-year legacy of RF excellence.”
