Willerby Inspires Hull Students Seeking a Future in Innovation

Sixth-form students from Hull have seen first-hand how holiday homes and lodges are made, and how a career in the parks and leisure industry could open up for them. Groups from Wyke Sixth Form College visited leading holiday home manufacturer Willerby as part of the Celebration of Manufacturing, a week-long work opportunities event in the Humber region.

The Celebration of Manufacturing in Hull

The Celebration of Manufacturing is designed to inspire young people to explore the wide range of careers on offer at leading local companies. The event is led by The Work-wise Foundation, an employer-led charity that supports young people into rewarding employment through training, practical guidance and industry links.

Willerby is one of Hull’s largest employers and has a strong record for product innovation. It is a key player in a manufacturing sector that employs 21,000 people in the city.

How a Willerby Holiday Home Is Built

During their visit, the students were taken through the entire production process, seeing how Willerby’s holiday homes progress from a steel chassis base to the finished product. They learned how the external and internal walls and insulation are installed, and how the choice of cladding defines the exterior look of each home.

The tour then moved on to the later stages of production. This included the internal fit-out, when kitchens, bathrooms and furnishings are installed, before each home goes through a final quality control stage.

An Innovation Challenge for Future Recruits

After the tour, students were set an innovation challenge. They could either design a product display for a trade show, or devise a recruitment campaign to attract young people to a career at Willerby.

Susan Pender, Willerby’s director of people, said: “It’s so important that students living in the area are aware of the range of careers available to them in manufacturing.

“Events like the Celebration of Manufacturing allow youngsters to see what is out there for them, and there’s no better way of doing that than by showing them exactly what a job with us looks like.

“It was a pleasure to welcome these guests to Willerby – and to witness the enthusiasm they showed through the questions they asked.

“We hope we’ve now inspired some of them to consider careers in manufacturing!” added Susan.

About Willerby

Willerby is a major holiday home and lodge manufacturer based in Hull, and a longstanding, active member of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA). The company has been making holiday homes in Yorkshire for 80 years and introduced the Willerby GreEN Standard, which it describes as the industry’s first sustainability standard.

Find out more about Willerby’s holiday homes, lodges and careers on the Willerby website. If you’re thinking about owning a holiday home, read our guide to buying a holiday caravan.

FAQs

What is the Celebration of Manufacturing?
The Celebration of Manufacturing is a week-long work opportunities event in the Humber region. It inspires young people to explore careers at leading local companies and is led by The Work-wise Foundation.

Which students visited Willerby?
Groups of sixth-form students from Wyke Sixth Form College in Hull visited Willerby as part of the Celebration of Manufacturing.

How are Willerby holiday homes made?
Willerby holiday homes start on a steel chassis base. External and internal walls and insulation are then installed, followed by cladding. Next comes the internal fit-out of kitchens, bathrooms and furnishings, and finally a quality control stage.

Where is Willerby based?
Willerby is based in Hull, where it is one of the city’s largest employers.

How many people work in manufacturing in Hull?
Hull’s manufacturing sector employs 21,000 people.

What is The Work-wise Foundation?
The Work-wise Foundation is an employer-led charity that supports young people into rewarding employment through training, practical guidance and industry links.

Is Willerby a member of HARPA?
Yes. Willerby is a longstanding and active member of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA).

Where can I find out more about Willerby holiday homes?
Visit the Willerby website for information on its holiday homes, lodges and careers.