We’re always proud to open our doors to the next generation of talent – offering opportunities that challenge expectations, spark curiosity, and build confidence. In this blog, a sixth form student shares their experience and how it opened their eyes to life beyond the classroom.
Work experience: a journey from assumptions to insights
On a windy Monday morning, I walked into Hydraulics Online to start the first day of my work experience – armed with my lunch, my bag and curiosity as to exactly what I was going to be doing.
As a 17-year-old, it’s fair to say I had close to no knowledge about hydraulic systems or what they were used for, beyond my very basic ideas like “they’re used in lifts” and “they make things go up.” As you can probably guess, I wasn’t exactly a hydraulic engineer.
Local roots, global reach
Firstly, I knew both Helen and Mark and had heard a few things about the business, but until the Saturday before I started, I didn’t even know exactly where it was! I assumed they were a small team operating within a huge industry, following the same kind of business model as the larger hydraulic providers. And while I knew they exported worldwide, I figured most of their sales were to a niche group of businesses in the local area.
But this is where my assumptions started to unravel. I began to see not only how global their customer base truly is, but how this small operation tucked away in a little town called Alsager is reshaping the way hydraulic products are found, bought and sold around the world.
The digital shop window
My first work experience day involved working with Zack – looking at social media posts, reading customer testimonials, and helping with the website. That’s when I first began to understand how most customers are introduced to the business: through what Mark described as their “shop window”- the first impression people get online.
As I explored the website and past posts, I expected the usual: flashy deals or catchy taglines designed to pull customers in. Instead, what I found was expertise. Detailed information about hydraulic symbols, safety protocols, landmarks, eBooks – you name it.
That’s when it clicked: while every business needs sales to survive, what truly sets Hydraulics Online apart is how they put the customer first at every stage. Their goal isn’t just to sell a product, but to empower each customer with the right advice, clear information, and long-term support. It’s a relationship-based approach that builds trust and loyalty – something you don’t always see in this industry. And it’s not just a message-they genuinely live it.
It’s a relationship-based approach that builds trust and loyalty – something you don’t always see in this industry. And it’s not just a message – they genuinely live it.
Lessons beyond the office walls
I was also fortunate enough to accompany Helen on a community outreach project to Birchwood Park in Warrington, where she spoke to over 50 young students at a careers event. Helen’s talk, that she also gave the following day at my school, was brilliantly delivered, sharing the journey of Hydraulics Online – from a kitchen table startup to exporting to over 130 countries.
But what stood out most wasn’t the business milestones or achievements. It was how Helen focused on lessons learned over two decades: being curious, asking questions, believing in yourself, and refusing to let others define your path. By weaving these messages into her own story, Helen connected not just with the students, but with teachers and other professionals in the room.
For me, it offered yet another lens on what Hydraulics Online is really about – not just a business, but a platform that is used to empower and inspire the next generation.
Leaving with a new perspective
Bringing things full circle, I started this work experience week not knowing what to expect. I feared I might be confined to unpacking boxes or simply observing how a business runs from the sidelines. But instead, I was welcomed in and given detailed insights into every part of what makes a business tick.
I took on hands-on tasks – from updating the website and creating social media posts, to completing an audit and even writing this blog. I’ve discovered so many different roles within a business, from technical aspects like hydraulic motors and cylinders, to credit risk management and customer research.
Not only do I now understand far more about hydraulic systems other than “they’re used in lifts” or “they make things go up”, but I now appreciate that the heart is the ultimate hydraulic pump. I’ve also learned real-world skills such as exporting, communication between different countries and the importance of quality control through ISO 9001: 2015.
More than anything, my learnings go far beyond the classroom. I feel I’ve walked away with confidence, insight into all of the moving cogs within a business, future career ideas and ultimately, a toolkit of skills I know I’ll carry with me in the years ahead.
