At a time when young engineering talent is in short supply, MRT Castings is taking a proactive approach to recruitment. Rather than waiting for future engineers to discover manufacturing by chance, the company is working with schools, colleges and industry partners to showcase what a modern foundry really looks like, and why it is such an exciting place to build a career.

Manufacturing in the UK is world class, yet many young people have never stepped inside a factory. Their perceptions are often shaped by outdated ideas of dark, dirty and repetitive workplaces. At our Andover headquarters, the reality could not be more different. With investment in a new production building and state-of-the-art aluminium diecasting and machining facilities, MRT is determined to use its site as a living example of what advanced manufacturing in Britain looks like today: clean, innovative, highly technical and full of opportunity.

Opening The Doors on National Manufacturing Day

In September 2025, we took part in Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day 2025, joining manufacturers across the country who opened their doors to local communities. For MRT, the focus was firmly on inspiring local secondary school and college students.

Working in partnership with Andover College, MRT welcomed groups of students from Winton Academy and Andover College for a guided tour of the site and a series of presentations. The aim was simple: to give youngsters a genuine insight into the people, products and processes behind the cast components that end up in world-renowned brands and emerging technologies.

The collaboration with Andover College was a key part of the day’s success. Helen Perry, Assistant Principal at Andover College, summed up the impact:

“National Manufacturing Day is a powerful reminder of the innovation and opportunity that exists within our local economy. It was fantastic to see Winton Academy and Andover College students engaging directly with employers like MRT Castings. This kind of partnership between education and industry is essential to ensure we’re meeting employer needs and equipping young people with the skills and inspiration to thrive in engineering careers. It’s a celebration of what’s possible when we work together.”

For many students, it was their first experience of seeing a live production environment. They were able to observe automated cells, CNC machining centres and quality control equipment in operation, and meet team members right across the business, from apprentices and technicians to engineers and senior managers.

Eloise Tipton, Head of Year at Winton Community Academy, highlighted how valuable that experience was:

“Our Year 9 Winton students thoroughly enjoyed their visit to MRT Castings. It was an invaluable opportunity for them to explore the wide range of career paths available in the engineering and manufacturing industries. Seeing the inside of a working factory was a real eye-opener and has certainly inspired conversations as they begin thinking about their future GCSE choices.”

Those conversations are exactly what MRT is hoping to spark, demystifying what goes on inside a foundry and revealing the breadth of roles available.  From design and tooling through to process engineering, production, quality and logistics, the company wants young people and their families to see manufacturing as a modern, rewarding and secure career route.

Cast Inspiration: Building Networks for Young Engineers

Encouraging school and college students is only part of the challenge. Once young people have joined the industry, they need support, networks and visibility of the wider sector if they are to progress.

That is why industry bodies such as the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (ICME) and the Cast Metals Federation (CMF) have been working together to run a series of “Cast Inspiration” events. These are designed specifically for apprentices and young professionals within UK foundries, giving them the chance to meet peers from across the country, visit different plants and broaden their understanding of materials, processes and technologies beyond their own workplace.

The latest event brought 15 young engineers from a range of foundries to the South Coast. Their first day was spent at Eurac’s iron foundry in Poole. The following day, they travelled to Andover to visit MRT’s aluminium diecasting and machining facilities.

At MRT, the visitors heard from members of the company’s own team who shared their journeys from apprenticeship into senior technical and leadership roles. Real project case studies demonstrated how cast components produced in Andover are used in demanding applications around the world, including sectors tackling major global challenges such as aerospace, electrification and healthcare.

The group then toured our production and machining areas, with plenty of time to ask questions, discuss process challenges and compare experiences from their own workplaces. For young engineers still in the early stages of their careers, seeing another foundry in action and hearing from peers at a similar stage plays a vital role in building confidence and long-term commitment to the sector.

Shaping Bright Futures in Manufacturing

Across these activities runs a common thread: collaboration. We recognises that no single business can solve the skills challenge alone. By working with schools, colleges, trade bodies and other manufacturers, it becomes possible to create a clearer pathway for young people; from that first spark of interest at school, through to apprenticeships, training and professional development as practising engineers.

Today’s foundries are not simply producing metal parts; they are key partners in developing new technologies and delivering solutions to some of the biggest engineering challenges of our time. Showcasing that reality is critical if the industry is to compete with the many other options open to today’s school leavers and graduates.

By opening its doors on National Manufacturing Day, hosting Cast Inspiration events and investing in modern facilities and people, MRT is committing to the future of the cast metals industry as well as to its own growth.

For schools, colleges or young engineers interested in seeing advanced foundry operations first-hand, MRT welcomes enquiries about future visits and collaborations. To explore how MRT Castings can support your engineering ambitions, whether through careers, partnerships or supply programmes, get in touch with the team today.