Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers 

When Matt Riddell joined iconsys, he didn’t have a degree. He had enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn. Starting as an apprentice, he quickly found his footing on real engineering projects, learning from experienced colleagues while developing practical skills that can only be gained through hands-on work. 

In those early days, Matt spent time wiring panels and supporting project teams on the shop floor. That experience gave him a deep understanding of how systems are built and how designs translate into real installations. This insight continues to shape the way he approaches engineering challenges today. 

Over time, Matt progressed into hardware design, mastering Eplan and becoming a key contributor to complex automation systems. Today he is one of our most respected Hardware Design Engineers, known for his ability to tackle intricate technical challenges and for the calm, methodical way he approaches problem solving. 

But perhaps just as important as the work he produces is the way he supports others. Matt regularly mentors apprentices and junior engineers, helping them develop their confidence and technical ability in the same supportive environment that helped him grow. 

What makes Matt’s story special isn’t just where he’s ended up, but how he got there. His journey proves that engineering careers don’t always begin in lecture halls, they start with opportunity, guidance and real-world experience. For many people, the chance to learn while working, solving real problems and seeing the impact of their efforts every day is what makes engineering such a rewarding career. 

Matt continues to invest in his own development as well. Alongside his work, he is currently studying for a Higher National Diploma (HND) while also completing leadership and management modules to support the next stage of his career. His journey reflects something fundamental about engineering; the learning never really stops. 

Recently, Matt helped run a robotics session for 40 pupils from four local schools, showing them that engineering is as much about creativity and problem-solving as it is about maths and machines. Watching students experiment with robotics and automation reminded many of us how powerful early exposure to engineering can be. 

For those pupils, meeting someone like Matt, who began as an apprentice and is now designing complex systems, makes the career feel real and achievable. 

Opening Doors in Schools and Colleges

Over the past year, we’ve taken that message beyond our walls, partnering with Thomas Telford School, Madeley Academy, Telford College and Shrewsbury College to bring engineering to life for students across Shropshire and the West Midlands. 

For many young people, engineering can feel like an abstract idea. It may appear in lessons as maths, physics or computing, but understanding what engineers actually do day to day can be harder to picture. That’s why meeting professionals who work in the field can be so valuable. 

At Thomas Telford School, our colleague Dr John Loftus, who holds a PhD in Advanced Control Systems and a First Class Master’s in Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation, recently delivered a “Meet the Engineer” session for sixth form students. 

Rather than focusing purely on theory, John talked through real automation projects from our Applications team. These included examples of how engineers work with customers to solve complex operational challenges, combining technical knowledge with creativity and practical thinking. 

For students considering engineering careers, seeing how classroom learning connects with real-world systems can be a powerful moment of clarity. 

Alongside these career sessions, we also supported hands-on STEM activities at the school, including the popular Krazy Karz engineering challenge and interactive demonstrations using virtual reality and test rigs. 

These sessions encourage students to experiment, collaborate and think creatively while exploring core engineering principles. Just as importantly, they help students realise that engineering isn’t only about academic ability; curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving are equally important. 

 

Connecting Classroom Learning to Real Careers

Our engagement with Madeley Academy focused on helping students understand how their subjects link directly to future career opportunities. 

The school is building a library of short career-path videos featuring local employers, designed to help students from Year 7 through to Sixth Form understand how what they learn in school connects with real industries. 

iconsys was invited to represent Physics, a subject that underpins much of modern engineering and automation. 

We explored how concepts like systems thinking, analytical problem-solving and design innovation play a role in the technologies our engineers develop for customers every day. 

For students, hearing engineers explain how classroom subjects translate into real solutions can transform the way they view those lessons. Instead of abstract topics, subjects like physics and mathematics begin to feel like tools they can use to build a future career. 

Experiencing the Workplace First-Hand

While classroom engagement is valuable, there is nothing quite like experiencing a workplace environment to understand how a business operates. 

Recently we welcomed Level 3 Business student Neil Gison from Shrewsbury College for a week of work experience at iconsys. 

During his placement, Neil spent time across a range of departments including Office Management, HR, Quality, Health and Safety, IT, Stores and Marketing. This gave him a broader understanding of how an engineering and technology company functions beyond the technical roles alone. 

Engineering businesses rely on many different teams working together to deliver successful projects. Seeing that collaboration first-hand helps students appreciate the wide range of careers that exist within the sector. 

Neil approached the week with enthusiasm, professionalism and genuine curiosity, and our teams across the business were pleased to share their knowledge and experience with him. 

Experiences like this help young people build confidence while gaining a clearer understanding of the workplace. 

Why It Matters

Engineering isn’t one fixed path, it’s a field full of routes, detours and discoveries. Some engineers begin with degrees, others through apprenticeships, and many develop their expertise through a combination of both. 

The challenge isn’t a lack of talent among young people. Often, it’s simply a lack of awareness about the opportunities available to them. 

Students can’t aspire to careers they’ve never encountered. By connecting education with industry, we can help them see what engineering really looks like and how their interests and abilities might fit within it. 

That’s why we’ll continue working with schools, colleges and training providers to make engineering visible, understandable and exciting for the next generation. 

If you’re a student, teacher or parent interested in iconsys’s outreach, work experience or apprenticeship opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. 

Together, we can help the next generation of engineers find their first step, just like Matt did.