At NMITE, learning doesn’t stop in the classroom – and it definitely doesn’t happen in a lecture theatre.
As part of our commitment to hands-on, real-world learning, 26 of our MEng Engineering students swapped the studio for the industry floor, heading out to Kingspan Insulation’s manufacturing site in Pembridge, as part of our current module on manufacturing in engineering.
Why Kingspan? Because not only are they a global leader in insulation boards, but they’re also walking the talk when it comes to sustainability – which is at the core of everything we do at NMITE.
Real Sustainability, Up Close
The visit took place during Kingspan’s Planet Passionate Week, their global campaign focused on reducing environmental impact across the business by 2030. Our students got a front-row look at how a company can blend commercial success with serious sustainability goals – and how engineers play a vital role in making this happen. More than just a factory tour, the visit sparked meaningful conversations around engineering in manufacturing, operational sustainability, and the role our students can play as future engineers.
What is Planet Passionate Week?
Planet Passionate Week (22-26 September 2025) is Kingspan’s internal sustainability awareness campaign to spotlight sustainability across its global workforce.
Think:
Webinars and workshops
Team clean-ups and tree planting
Local site tours and training on sustainable operations
For our students, it was a chance to see corporate sustainability not just as a concept, but as a lived reality, woven into every part of the business, from strategy to systems.
Learning by Doing (and Seeing)
This kind of experience is what sets NMITE apart. Our students don’t just talk about sustainable engineering – they go out and see it. They meet the people making it happen. And they come away better equipped to shape the future.
“We’re delighted to be working with Kingspan to give our students real-world insight into advanced manufacturing.” Said Ben Ricketts, Academic Partnerships Associate.
“Visits like this help bring their learning to life and show how engineering theory translates directly into industry practice. It’s fantastic to have Kingspan’s support, and this growing relationship is already making a real difference for our students.”
Associate Professor, Peter Metcalfe said,
“The visit to Kingspan this week was a real eye opener for our students. It was beyond seeing behind the curtain; it was 'inside the wall”.
Big thanks to the team at Kingspan Pembridge for hosting us and sharing your work so openly. We’re proud to be preparing engineers who are not just technically sharp – but also planet passionate.
Find out more about what NMITE has to offer: www.nmite.ac.uk/nmite-difference
