SCHOOL students were given an insight into the world of work and business when they visited a host of firms and enterprises.

A vending machine drinks company and a firearms and ammunit-ion manufacturer were among town businesses visited by Newent Community School Year 9 pupils.

The aim of the visits was to let students speak to business owners and operators to help them make a more informed choice about possible career routes.

From contact with people in the Newent community, students learned about their working roles, jobs, employability, rights and responsibilities and conditions of work.

The event was supervised by the school’s Pippa Palmer and Sue Lawrance and hosted by Two Rivers Housing.

After an introductory talk by Two Rivers managing director, Gary King, the students were divided into groups of four to five students who were then accompanied by a volunteer facilitator drawn from Newent Rotary, governors, the town council and others.

Each group followed a specified route to visit businesses which had been selected to give a broad variety of trade and commerce in and around the town.

One group led by Ken Jollans followed a route that took pupils to such diverse businesses as a sporting firearm manufacturer, a coffee machine firm, flower shops and a day centre.

One visit was to Max Vending, who make MaxPax drinks for vending machines, including PG Tips, Bovril and tea bags. The students had to ‘dress up’ for this visit as the factory was a “clean and hygienic zone”.

Another visit was made to HPS Target Rifles which has been making sporting firearms and ammunition since 1990, and which was of particular interest to the students who questioned the staff closely.

Pippa Palmer said: “The visits were very successful and when we gathered the students together after they were complete, there was a great deal of enthusiasm shown in what is becoming a very popular and educational event.

“All the students showed a great deal of interest in the workings of the businesses and these type of visits give each student a first hand taste of what business is actually about.

“It gives them a real insight into business and what it entails, something they would not normally have,” she added.

“I would also like to thank the town mayor, Cllr June Davies, for giving the students an informative talk at the end of each day’s visits.

“One thing that also derives from these visits is that it brings local business to the school and the school to local business.

“The students clearly enjoyed the visits and comments from them included, “We learned a lot about businesses from people who actually worked there”, “It made us realise about all the local opportunities we weren’t aware of” and “I have a clearer understanding of how businesses work.”

“The school is also indebted to Two Rivers Housing for hosting the event and also to all the businesses that allowed us to take part.”