Sixth Form Economists and Business Students Explore Robotics and Career Paths at Amazon MAN3

Mrs Sarah Bolton – Teacher of Economics

Our Sixth Form Economics and Business students recently had an insightful trip to the Amazon Distribution Centre (MAN3) in Bolton. The visit provided a fascinating, first-hand look at how automation and robotics are transforming modern industry.

Students discovered how Amazon uses advanced robotics to increase efficiency, reduce operating costs, and enhance the customer experience, allowing for a broader product range and faster delivery times. From a labour market perspective, the integration of technology is making the workplace safer, reducing physically demanding tasks, and improving employee well-being. We saw this in action during a tour of the massive, 28-football-pitch-sized facility, observing orange robots moving millions of items and watching products being picked and packaged with remarkable speed then transported along miles of conveyor belts

A significant focus of the trip was on future career opportunities. Students learned about the in-demand full-time careers involved in the maintenance and programming of the intelligent robots—robots that can predict consumer purchases and manage stock in anticipation. Our apprenticeship session also highlighted ‘Career Choice,’ an innovative Amazon program that pre-pays tuition and fees for employees pursuing coursework in high-demand career areas. This provided valuable discussion points on the future of employment and the importance of continuous learning.