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Company visits and insight days for students from UTC Leeds and Leeds City College school of engineering.
Manufacturers throughout the UK will be opening their doors to schools, colleges and local communities on National Manufacturing Day 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.
Wed-Thurs, 1&2/7/26
A two-day celebration of all things STEM, designed to enthuse, inspire and engage young minds and introduce them to the opportunities STEM careers present. Manufacturing and engineering businesses in West Yorkshire are welcome to exhibit at this amazing hands-on event which also aims to showcase the region's innovative businesses and help guide the next generation (your future workforce) towards rewarding careers in STEM industries.
Exhibitor will be invited to deliver engaging, interactive sessions relating to your industry. The event is expected to attract around 2,000 students aged 10 to 14 years from schools across the city and this event provides a prime opportunity to showcase the exciting aspects of careers in STEM.
Monday 20/6/26 (12 noon - 2pm)
Manufacturing employers in Leeds and sponsors of Leeds Manufacturing Festival are invited by the School of Engineering and Manufacturing at Leeds City College to help to join this workshop and help co-design the teaching and learning curriculum. It's a great opportunity to help shape the skills they learn and have your say on what they need to know to become industry-ready. You will also be able to meet teaching staff and take a tour of college facilities. Lunch will be provided.
Thursday 4 June (6pm - 8.30pm)
Awards presentation evening for nominees, sponsors, participants and supporters of the 2026 Leeds Manufacturing Festival. The evening has become established as a highlight 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. A special award for 'Manufacturing Ambassador' will also be presented to the person who has done the most to raise the profile of the sector over the last 12 months.
Wednesday 6/5/26
(8.30am arrival, 9am start and 11am finish)
Join employers and industry experts for this interactive session hosted by Leeds Beckett University and focusing on how T Level qualifications and industry placements can offer a recruitment pathway for employers and an opportunity for young people to gain practical experience and valuable insights into careers in manufacturing and engineering.
Practical support available to employers to get the best from industry placements will be outlined. Students and apprentices will also share their experience The session will also explore best practice in apprentice training, including the key role mentoring plays, and the implications of recently announced apprenticeship reforms for employers.
Speakers include:
Hannah Wilson, Principal, UTC Leeds
Dawn Helsby, Schneider Electric and regional chair of the T Levels Champions Network
Matt Leigh, Partnerships Manager, Strategic Development Network
Andrew Walton, Production Manager, ACS Stainless Steel Fixings
Adam Tipper, Managing Director, Next Gen Makers
Gillian Wallace, Head of Employment & Skills, Leeds City Council
Friday 1 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 and that's far from the 35% industry target by 2035. 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 female students at Allerton Grange High School, 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. 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.
Thursday 30 April (8.20am - 11.40am)
School students at Rodillian Academy have the chance to find out about the opportunities careers in manufacturing and engineering can offer and hear first-hand what it's like to work for a modern manufacturing company.
Ever wondered what the average day looks like for an apprentice working in the manufacturing sector? What the interview process looks like? Or what’s involved in a manufacturing apprenticeship?
Apprentices, employers and sponsor representatives will answer these and many other questions posed by students from Rodillian Academy at this live careers panel, organised by Ahead Partnership on behalf of Leeds Manufacturing Festival.
Wednesday 25/3/26 (12 noon to 4.30pm)
This careers fair provides a platform for manufacturing employers in Leeds to showcase their companies and meet students from the School of Engineering at Leeds City College, UTC Leeds and other local schools. It offers a great opportunity to highlight the roles and career opportunities available in manufacturing to the next generation.
The event will include break-out sessions on CVs, interview preparation and work readiness and concludes with careers panels for students and teaching staff.
If you're an employer and would like to take part, please contact: jo.bourne@aheadpartnership.org.uk or Faron.Convey@aheadpartnership.org.uk
Wednesday 11/3/26 (8.30am - 10.30am)
Join us at Leeds City College for the launch of the 2026 Leeds Manufacturing Festival. Find out more about the festival programme, how you can get involved and hear how manufacturers, education providers and key decision-makers are working together to address the challenges of recruitment, skills and workforce development.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Ben Wilson, Managing Director, MPM Group
Verity Davidge, Director of Policy & Public Affairs at manufacturing employers organisation Make UK
Elisa Henderson, Early Careers Coordinator at water technology solutions manufacturer RSE
Hannah Wilson, Principal at UTC Leeds
INDUSTRY PANEL
Ben Wilson, MPM Group
Matthew Kay, Greyhound Box
Kshamya Mittal, Schneider Electric
Matty Sadler, UTC Leeds
Ingrid Law, Brandon Medical
Matt Booth, E3 Recruitment
The launch event will be chaired by Mark Casci, Head of Business Representation, West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
Leeds manufacturing and engineering firms will be hosting company visits as part of an inset day for teaching staff at UTC Leeds. The visits will include factory tours and meetings with team members at each company to help develop ideas for classroom projects and teaching based on the modern manufacturing workplace, processes and challenges. If you'd like to find out more or host a visit, contact Rebecca Baldwin, business engagement lead at UTC Leeds.
Wed 11/2/26 (1pm - 7pm)
Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair (LARF) is the biggest event of its kind in the North of England, attracting thousands of young people from schools and colleges across they city.
The fair takes place during National Apprenticeship Week and offers employers the chance to meet and talk to young people about apprenticeships and opportunities for anyone starting out on a career in manufacturing.
Leeds manufacturing employers will be represented in force at the event, exhibiting together on the Leeds Manufacturing Festival stand and will be advertising live apprenticeship vacancies on the day.