Events

Best practice in manufacturing: company visit to Airedale International
11 April 2024

Best practice in manufacturing: company visit to Airedale International

8am - 11am, Thursday 11 April
Airedale International Air Conditioning is a world leader in the delivery of innovative thermal management solutions in mission critical environments like data centres, the healthcare sector and telecoms. Owned by the US-based Modine manufacturing company, Airedale has a growing workforce that currently employs approximately 600 people in Leeds and has production facilities in Consett (UK), Guadalajara (Spain), Buena Vista (US) and Grenada (US).

This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to visit the company's state-of-the-art 23,000sqm research, development, manufacturing, training and office facility in Leeds. The event is part of an invitation-only series of company visits hosted by Leeds manufacturers during 2024, providing manufacturing employers and key stakeholders with the opportunity to share insights and learn from best practice within the industry.


Company Airdale School / Location Leeds Road, Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6JY Attendees Leeds Manufacturing Alliance steering group members, supporters and sponsors of Leeds Manufacturing Festival Register to attend
Launch of Excellent Engineering Employers directory and careers resource
18 April 2024

Launch of Excellent Engineering Employers directory and careers resource

8.30am - 10.30am, Thursday 18 April
Next Gen Makers launches its new online careers resource, showcasing the very best employers in West Yorkshire for engineering apprenticeships. For employers, it's a perfect opportunity to showcase the benefits and opportunities working for your company can offer young people. For school careers leaders and advisers, the directory will offer an invaluable resource, allowing you to signpost students to the very best employers in the region and understand more about what it's like to work in modern manufacturing and engineering.


Company Next Gen Makers School / Location UTC Leeds, Sayner Rd, Leeds LS10 1LA Attendees Manufacturing employers, school careers leaders and advisers REGISTER TO ATTEND
Engineering change: women in manufacturing
02 May 2024

Engineering change: women in manufacturing

9am - 12.30pm, Thursday 2 May
Although women represent almost half of the labour force in the UK, they account for just 26% of all workers in the manufacturing sector. Surveys show that a non-inclusive culture to be the primary barrier to women's participation in the sector. This is followed by barriers in promotion and leadership, a lack of awareness and visibility of job opportunities, a lack of skills and training support and work-life balance.

This networking and fact-finding session for students at Crawshaw Academy, delivered by Ahead Partnership on behalf of Leeds Manufacturing Festival, is an opportunity to see beyond the stereotypes and begin breaking down barriers.

From recently qualified apprentices, to highly skilled and experienced technicians and professionals, managing directors and company owners, students will learn that if you can see it, you too can be it. Over 160 students from across all year groups will have the chance to meet, talk to and find out more about the careers of women working in manufacturing and engineering roles at all levels and at all stages of their careers.


Company Leeds Manufacturing Festival School / Location Crawshaw Academy, Robin Lane, Pudsey LS28 9HU Attendees Students from years 8, 9 and 10 Crawshaw Academy
Engineering employer’s breakfast: making apprenticeships and industry placements work for your business
15 May 2024

Engineering employer’s breakfast: making apprenticeships and industry placements work for your business

Wednesday 15 May, 8.30am - 10.30am
Join us for breakfast at this Engineering Employers networking event and find out more about how your business can work with Leeds City College and the School of Engineering.

Hear about the range of support available to help develop your talent pipeline and workforce skills for the engineering sector . Find out about our role in apprentice training and recruitment, about the role employers in providing industry placements for our T Level Engineering students. You will also have the opportunity to meet college staff who teach in the School of Engineering and how you can help shape the curriculum to meet your business needs.

Members of Leeds City Council's Employment & Skills team will also be present and will outline the support they can offer to employers to help recruit young people to their apprenticeship training programme.


Company School of Engineering School / Location The Boardroom, Leeds City College Printworks Campus Attendees Manufacturing and engineering employers, apprenticeship training providers REGISTER TO ATTEND
Best practice in manufacturing: company visit to LBBC Group
13 June 2024

Best practice in manufacturing: company visit to LBBC Group

8am - 11am, Thursday 13 June
LBBC Group is a 145 year-old, fifth generation family-owned engineering business focused around the design and manufacture of pressure containment products.

Its LBBC Technologies division supply autoclave systems to the aerospace casting industry and containment doors for the UK’s nuclear powered submarines. LBBC Beechwood division provides sub-contract engineering services to the UK’s manufacturing sector. LBBC Baskerville division supplies advanced autoclave systems for the global corrosion testing market. Finally, Resomation division has applied the technology and know how to a new form of water-based cremation, offering the funeral industry and local authorities an environmentally friendly alternative to flame cremation.

This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to visit the company's purpose-built engineering facility in Pudsey, Leeds. The event is part of an invitation-only series of company visits hosted by Leeds manufacturers during 2024, providing manufacturing employers with the opportunity to share insights and learn from best practice within the industry.


Company LBBC Technologies School / Location LBBC Attendees Leeds Manufacturing Alliance steering group members, supporters and sponsors of Leeds Manufacturing Festival
‘Next Gen’ manufacturing leaders and rising stars awards evening
June 2024 (TBC)

‘Next Gen’ manufacturing leaders and rising stars awards evening

This by-invitation-only awards presentation evening for sponsors, participants and supporters of the 2024 Leeds Manufacturing Festival. The evening has become established as a key date in the calendar for the Leeds manufacturing community and recognises the achievements of the sector’s ‘next generation’ talent with awards for apprentice of the year, future manufacturing leader, rising star and manufacturing employer of the year.


Company Leeds Manufacturing Festival School / Location TBC Attendees Leeds Manufacturing Alliance, Leeds City College, E3 Recruitment, Leeds City Council, West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Make UK Ahead Partnership
UTC Leeds employer carousel
02 July 2024

UTC Leeds employer carousel

Tuesday 2 July
UTC Leeds students have been given the opportunity to participate in a travelling carousel; visiting manufacturing employers across the city for a day of engineering experiences. If you would like to host a visit by UTC Leeds Engineering students, please get in touch.


Company UTC Leeds School / Location Sayner Road, Leeds LS10 1LA Attendees Manufacturing and engineering employers, UTC Leeds students FIND OUT MORE
National Manufacturing Day
26 September 2024

National Manufacturing Day

Thursday 26 September
Manufacturers throughout the UK will once again be opening their doors to schools, colleges and local communities for a behind-the-scenes look at how manufacturers' facilities work, as part of this UK-wide 'open house' celebration of the sector.

Local communities will have the chance to see the potential careers and jobs on offer within the wonderfully diverse manufacturing sector, as employers engage with all age groups - from school leavers, graduates, people looking to reskill and the local residents.

​For Make UK and manufacturers, this is an opportunity to showcase the diversity of a truly fascinating sector, the range of highly skilled jobs on offer and the amazing opportunities for reskilling and career development within manufacturing in the UK.


Company Make UK School / Location Manufacturing employers across Leeds and West Yorkshire FIND OUT More
UTC Leeds employer carousel
26 September 2024

UTC Leeds employer carousel

Thursday 26 September
To coincide with National Manufacturing Day, students at UTC Leeds will be taking part in a travelling carousel; visiting manufacturing employers across the city for a day of engineering experiences. If you would like to host a visit by UTC Leeds Engineering students, please get in touch.


Company UTC Leeds School / Location Sayner Road, Leeds LS10 1LA Attendees Manufacturing and engineering employers, UTC Leeds students FIND OUT MORE
Manufacturing and STEM Sector Showcase at Roundhay School
02 October 2024

Manufacturing and STEM Sector Showcase at Roundhay School

Wednesday 2 October, 3 - 6pm
When asked about jobs in manufacturing and engineering, most school and college students say they don't know much about what these sectors do and the careers they offer. This manufacturing and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) sector showcase aims to change perceptions and raise awareness of the wide variety of roles available in modern manufacturing, highlighting the opportunities and career paths for young people. Manufacturers and engineering firms are invited to join members of Leeds Manufacturing Alliance at this event and help promote the sector to the next generation of young people, their teachers and parents.


Company Leeds Manufacturing Festival School / Location Roundhay School Attendees Leeds Manufacturing employers Roundhay School
UTC Leeds Careers Fair
November 2024 (TBC)

UTC Leeds Careers Fair

Thursday 14 November
UTC Leeds invites STEM sector employers from across the region to join FE and HE providers at this careers fair designed to to help students make informed choices on their future destinations and careers. Please check our website for further information..


Company UTC Leeds School / Location Sayner Road, Leeds LS10 1LA Attendees Manufacturing and engineering employers, UTC Leeds students FIND OUT MORE