Project Description
Industry: Engineering
Programme: Routes and pathways into engineering and electrical apprenticeships
Activity Type: Work Inspiration and Preparation / Sector Awareness / Routes and Pathways
Businesses involved: DPS Engineering
Name of School: Auchmuty High School
Auchmuty High School partnered with DPS Engineering to deliver a series of interactive Engineering in Industry sessions, giving young people a practical insight into electrical engineering and apprenticeship pathways.
Building on an existing relationship with the company, the school invited DPS Engineering to work with S3–S6 Engineering Science pupils, helping them explore real engineering applications, learn about control systems and PLC programming, and hear directly from an apprentice about what training and work in the sector actually involves.
Collaborative Partners
DPS Engineering provides engineering and process control solutions for a range of customers. The link with Auchmuty High School was established a few years ago through a parent who is a director at the company and was keen to offer work experience opportunities to pupils interested in engineering.
For this activity, Peter Scott, Director, supported the idea of offering more to local young people. Keith Walder, Process Control Engineer, and Jack, a third-year electrical apprentice, visited the school to lead the sessions. DPS Engineering sees clear value in:
- Showcasing real engineering roles and technologies.
- Developing the skills and confidence of potential future apprentices.
- Supporting the school’s work to prepare young people for positive destinations in engineering.
Programme Aims
The sessions with DPS Engineering were designed to:
- Enthuse young people about the range of careers in engineering, particularly electrical and control roles.
- Introduce pupils to DPS Engineering as a company, what they do and the range of customers they support.
- Introduce the concept of sensors using real radar instrumentation and control equipment.
- Give pupils a first experience of PLC-style programming through “blockly” coding tasks.
- Inform young people about pathways into engineering, including electrical apprenticeships.
- Provide a Q&A opportunity with a current third-year apprentice to explore the reality of training and working in the industry.
Activity Overview
On 6th and 7th October, Keith and Jack delivered three interactive sessions with Auchmuty’s S3, S4 and Higher Engineering Science classes. Each session combined practical, technology-based tasks with career insight and discussion.
Key elements included:
Coding a Race Car
Pupils used block-based programming to write code that controlled a race car around different tracks. This introduced them to the logic and problem-solving involved in PLC-style coding and control systems.
Sensors and Instrumentation
Using radar instrumentation and a controller that measured clicks, pupils learned how sensors can detect and measure changes in the environment. This was brought to life through a competition, where pupils tested and monitored outputs, helping them understand how sensors are used in real industrial control applications.
Engineering in Industry
Keith linked the activities to real projects at DPS Engineering, explaining how similar control systems and instrumentation are used with their customers. Pupils gained insight into where and how these technologies are applied in industry.
Apprenticeship Insight and Q&A
Jack, a third-year electrical apprentice, shared what his apprenticeship involves, the kind of tasks he works on, and what he has learned so far. The session finished with a Q&A, giving