Motor Vehicle Maintenance students from The Bridge School recently had an unforgettable experience during a workplace visit to the Royal Mail Warrington Workshop.
Hosted by Area Fleet Maintenance manager Ian Ditchfield, the visit offered students a unique opportunity to explore how Royal Mail maintains its diverse fleet—including electric vehicles, LCVs, and HGVs.
The visit was made possible through the collaboration of Sheryll Elliott (Royal Mail SHRBP – Fleet & National Distribution), Graham Dodd (Careers Leader at The Bridge School), and Barrie Johnson (Motor Vehicle and Engineering Tutor). A group of year 10 students currently studying NCFE Level 1 Occupational Skills took part, applying their learning from units on:
- Health and Safety
- Tools and Equipment
- Identifying Vehicle Components
- Valeting Techniques
During the visit, students were given a guided tour of the workshop and observed a range of live demonstrations delivered by Royal Mail’s skilled technicians. These included:
- Vehicle inspections and servicing routines,
- Demonstrations of workshop tools and diagnostic equipment
- Discussions around vehicle safety, maintenance schedules, and fleet management
- Insights into the variety of roles within the Royal Mail Fleet team, including apprenticeships and technical careers
Student Reflections:
- “Best thing I’ve ever done. I actually learnt how to fix a seatbelt!”
- “It was sound, I liked it and was interested. I learnt about the wagons which was new and about all different jobs.”
- “Because I have met the staff and they were sound it makes me confident to apply in the future.”
Staff Reflections:
Graham Dodd praised the visit:
“From start to finish, Sheryll and Ian planned a really engaging and supportive experience with some of our hardest to help students. Its impact can already be seen by staff.”
Julie Roberts, Enterprise Coordinator at the LCR Careers Hub, added:
“Bringing the curriculum to life in this way makes learning more meaningful and opens up real pathways for progression post-16. Opportunities like this really do change lives.”
A huge thank you to the Royal Mail team and The Bridge School staff for going above and beyond to inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians.
Sheryll Elliott, SHRBP Royal Mail
“It’s a great opportunity for students to understand the careers available within Fleet and the wider Royal Mail including our Fleet Apprenticeship programme. Providing our local communities with work experience enables students to explore career paths, equipping them with valuable knowledge and confidence for their future careers”
To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities with Royal Mail visit – https://apprenticeships.royalmailgroup.com
