Students Gain Valuable Insights on Visit to Aico
Students from Coleg Cambria’s Yale campus in Wrexham recently had the opportunity to visit Aico, a prominent leader in the Internet of Things (IoT) and home life safety solutions. The trip, which included 18 BTEC Enterprise and Entrepreneurship learners, aimed to provide practical insights into the world of business and innovation.
Aico, based in Oswestry, is recognised as the European market leader in home safety products, including smoke alarms, sensors, and the IoT platform HomeLINK. The students were warmly welcomed by Aico’s Community Liaison team, consisting of Laura Opechowska and Jane Pritchard, who guided them through a day filled with engaging discussions and informative tours.
Throughout the visit, the students were introduced to Aico’s rich history and notable achievements in the industry. They toured various departments within the company, which provided them with a first-hand look at the inner workings of a successful business. During the visit, students participated in practical tasks that involved designing a new product and developing a recruitment plan, activities that allowed them to apply their learning in real-world scenarios.
Judith Alexander, the Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Coordinator at Coleg Cambria, expressed her gratitude to Aico for their hospitality. She noted, “Learners explored Aico’s organisational culture and first-class facilities while developing entrepreneurial ideas, building confidence through challenges, and gaining valuable insights into various career paths.”
The visit was part of a broader educational initiative aimed at enriching students’ learning experiences by exposing them to successful companies. Judith highlighted the importance of such visits in inspiring the next generation of innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs. “Being able to visit external companies helps us enrich learning and inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs, developing insights and understanding of business processes, functions and organisational values,” she said.
The interaction with industry professionals allowed the students to engage directly with experts in the field, providing them with a clearer understanding of the skills and attributes required to succeed in the business world. The hands-on experience was instrumental in reinforcing the theoretical knowledge they have gained in their studies.
Aico’s commitment to fostering educational partnerships aligns with its dedication to community engagement and development. The company regularly hosts students and young professionals to encourage learning and inspire future generations.
As the students concluded their visit, they left with a deeper appreciation for the role of innovation and technology in modern business practices, particularly in the rapidly evolving IoT sector. The opportunity to learn from a leading company such as Aico not only enhanced their educational journey but also equipped them with valuable insights to take into their future careers.
The successful visit exemplifies the vital connection between education and industry, ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s business landscape.