Caxton Academy apprentices get first-hand insight into brickmaking at Ibstock

Our apprentices had a brilliant learning experience recently when we were invited by Cliff Hughes of Ibstock Brick to visit their Eclipse Factory.

The visit began with an in-depth presentation from Richard Wilks, Technical Director, supported by Dave Boyd, who walked the group through Ibstock’s history, the range of products they manufacture, and the key technical principles behind bricks and brickwork. This technical knowledge forms an essential foundation for our apprentices, helping them understand the materials they work with every day and how best to use them on site.

After the presentation, apprentices were taken on a tour of the factory to follow the full brickmaking process – starting from raw clay deposits and ending with a finished product ready for construction. A clear highlight of the day was climbing to the top of the kiln and looking down into the 1,000°C+ firing chamber. Seeing bricks being fired at such extreme temperatures brought the entire process to life in a way you simply can’t get from a classroom.

The visit closed with a hosted lunch, giving apprentices the chance to ask further questions and reflect on what they had seen.

A huge thank you to everyone at Ibstock for their time, hospitality and for giving our apprentices such valuable industry insight. Experiences like this help broaden their understanding of the trade and strengthen their journey to becoming highly skilled bricklayers.