Students at a technology college have been given an insight into business and manufacturing by two firms.

A group of 11 to 14 year-olds at Guiseley School Technology College took part in a ‘scrapheap challenge’ which involved making go-karts from waste materials.

It was part of a community partnership between the school, Shipley-based Denso Marston and Guiseley Baptist Church.

The students built three wheeled go-karts out of discarded bicycles, school chairs and old prams.

They had to use a range of manufacturing skills and demonstrate their ability to propel the karts and stop in a rectangular garage.

All five participants received a trophy from Denso, which makes engine cooling systems. The company also provided the testing venue and technical assistance.

Bev Sagar, of Denso Marston, said “Denso takes its community responsibilities seriously and we are pleased that we could help make this project a success.”

Meanwhile, business students at the college learned about the experiences of businesses looking to trade online from two executives of Guiseley-based web design, print and events company, Tebays.

Jon Davis and Dean Butler met the students studying for the BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Business to help them understand why businesses decide to trade online and the operational risks they may encounter.

Teacher Hannah Lawrance said: “The students found it really useful to get an external point of view, which will allow them to further develop their own ideas and eventually help them to create their own websites as part of the course.”