Building future engineers through real experiences

Students from the Komatsu Williams Engineering Academy visited Komatsu UK for a firsthand look at engineering careers, exploring the production line, speaking with engineers and even operating an excavator.

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Students from the Komatsu Williams Engineering Academy recently travelled to Komatsu’s United Kingdom plant in County Durham for a day of factory tours, hands-on demonstrations and conversations with the engineers who design and build Komatsu’s world-class machines.

When students from the Komatsu Williams Engineering Academy stepped into Komatsu’s manufacturing facility in Newcastle, UK, engineering quickly moved beyond theory.

The group travelled from across Europe to see how Komatsu’s excavators are designed, assembled and tested. The visit gave students the opportunity to tour the production line, speak directly with engineers and see firsthand how advanced machines are built.

For many, the highlight came when they climbed into an excavator cab and operated the controls themselves, turning classroom learning into a tangible experience.

After stepping into the cab and operating a Komatsu excavator, students received a model of the very machine they experienced. More than a souvenir, it’s a reminder of a hands-on moment where engineering moved beyond theory and into something real, tangible and within reach.

“They all enjoyed the presentation and factory tour, but the highlight was definitely the excavator operation,” said Kathryn Mullins, Komatsu Planning Engineer, a sentiment echoed by Design Engineer Jane Hodgson, who watched the students light up as they explored hydraulics, hybrid systems and the engineering behind the machines. It was the exact kind of hands-on experience the academy was created to deliver, a moment that makes engineering feel immediate, exciting and undeniably within reach.

Komatsu UK Ltd. manufactures medium-size and large crawler and working-gear excavators. From the moment the students walked through the factory doors they were met with what many described as a revelation: the precision, teamwork and scale of modern manufacturing. As Kathryn Mullins summed up, “For many this was their first time inside a manufacturing plant, and they made the most of the opportunity by asking lots of questions.”

Gemma Brotherton, Senior PR Officer, Komatsu UK, started the tour by giving everyone a bit of background on the history, what is manufactured at the facility, and how the site fits into Komatsu’s global operations.

“Along the way, I talked through our approach to quality control; the checks at each stage, our testing processes, and how we ensure every machine meets the standards our customers expect. Visitors are often surprised at the level of detail involved.”

Komatsu’s engineers welcomed the students into the production environment and had candid conversations about how equipment is designed, built and constantly improved. Jane Hodgson said the exchange went beyond surface demonstrations: “I had some in-depth conversations about the inner workings of the hydraulics of the excavators and why some of the specific parts were used,” she said. “It was really interesting to hear the students’ stories too, hear how they were getting on and where they were now in their education journey.”

For the students, the experience reinforced why the academy exists. Jack Metcalfe reflected on Komatsu’s culture of continuous improvement. “The thing that surprised me most about Komatsu and their people is the way that the whole company approaches quality. They understand that the people on the shop floor know the processes better than the people who have designed them. They really take the approach that improvements can be made… and that they talk to the people on the shop floor to implement their strategies.”

A recurring theme was how work at Komatsu connects with technology that students may already find exciting. Jack Metcalfe noted a striking crossover: “We learnt about the hybrid systems within the Komatsu excavators and how they're being utilized within Formula One. For me, that's really interesting because excavators and Formula One cars are so different and they're using the exact same technologies.”

The Komatsu Williams Engineering Academy is designed to give students that cross-industry perspective. Several students said the academy had helped them see engineering as a real, achievable career. Catrin Wyn Wood described a personal shift: “When I applied for the academy, I think it really opened my eyes to seeing, maybe I could do something in this field.”

George Papadopoulos echoed the sentiment and highlighted collaboration as central to engineering: “The entire point of the academy is you're not alone. You're part of a team … I think that's the most important lesson in the entire academy.”

For many, seeing manufacturing up close changed expectations about what engineering work looks like. Kornilia Vasiliou was struck by the organization of the production line: “Everything is very specific and very efficient. So, all the processes are very fine-tuned.” Raphael Brice praised Komatsu’s safety culture: “It feels like there's a big focus on finding out if something went wrong, finding the root cause.”

Guided along the full assembly line, students followed how excavators take shape, from raw steel to final inspection. The walkthrough revealed the sequencing, coordination and craftsmanship required to turn complex components into a finished machine.

The academy combines classroom learning, competitive projects and industry visits to give students access to mentors and a community of peers from across Komatsu. Julia Used-Wu described how it connects students to engineers and mentors. “We get to talk to people who work at Komatsu and understand why they enjoy it so much … it’s a great experience.” Alexandros Pantazidis highlighted the friendships that form. “The team and the people you meet here, they're friends I make by going and seeing engineering stuff.”

Komatsu’s engineers found the exchange energizing, as well. Kathryn Mullins reflected on the value of meeting the students. “It was a great opportunity for them to meet each other and discuss their experiences and future plans. I think the event was a great success, and the cohorts were very complimentary about the day. I’m looking forward to seeing how this partnership works out.”

For students preparing for apprenticeships and university degrees, the visit was a tangible preview of what an engineering career can offer. “I want to approach industries like Komatsu or maybe even motorsport racing with Williams.” George Kryiazopoulos, who hopes to move from technician roles into graduate engineering and design, said the academy “has opened up new doors that I otherwise wouldn't have considered.”

The day underscored a shared purpose: to expand experiences, spark curiosity and show that engineering careers can be challenging, collaborative and incredibly rewarding.

Learn more about the Komatsu Williams Engineering Academy and its mission to create pathways to engineering careers.

Learn more

 

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