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Printworks Campus
Thursday 11/12/25 (2.30pm - 4.30pm)
Opportunity for employers to meet students and staff from School of Manufacturing and Engineering at Leeds City College, tell them about your business, take a tour of the college's facilities. You can also take part in a celebration of learners' successes so far this academic year, which will include a prize presentation from The Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Struggling to recruit and attract young talent, not sure how to get started with apprenticeships? We're often told that manufacturing faces a skills challenge but so do many other sectors and that's why the competition for talent is becoming increasingly fierce. But there's also lots you can do about it.
So, as plans for the 2026 Leeds Manufacturing Festival come together, you are invited to join us to find out more about the programme for next year, how you can get involved with the festival, and hear first hand from other employers about the benefits the festival offers in raising the profile of manufacturing, promoting careers in the sector to young people and building relationships with schools, colleges, universities and training providers.
Thursday 25 September
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.
Thursday, 10 July (8.30am - 11am)
The new Made Smarter programme for West Yorkshire, designed to promote adoption of digital technologies by manufacturing businesses, goes live in July. Guests attending this breakfast event, hosted by electronics manufacturer SCC Worldwide, will have an exclusive opportunity to find out more about the range of support available to manufacturers through the programme, including consultancy, student internships, training in leadership and change management, as well as capital grants. Manufacturers who have previously benefitted from the programme will also describe the support they have received and the impact it has had on their business.
Mon - Friday, 7th - 11th July 2025
Employers in Leeds open their doors to students from UTC Leeds and Leeds City College school of engineering to showcase the opportunities careers in the city's manufacturing and engineering sector present. Students will have the chance to walk the factory floor, meet employees and discover what it's like to work in modern manufacturing.
Companies taking part include:
ACS Stainless
Braime Pressings
Facultative Technologies
Greyhound Box
Leeds Welding Company
MPM
Saftronics
Thursday 26/6/25 (1pm - 3.30pm)
Launch of the West Yorkshire Women in Manufacturing and Engineering Network. This event will bring together industry leaders, changemakers, allies and advocates to promote inclusive economic growth across West Yorkshire. The afternoon will include a keynote address from Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, followed by panel discussions to spark conversation and challenge perspectives. Take part in engaging conversations and discuss steps we can take to break barriers and promote the benefits of gender diversity in the sector.
Nationally women make up 28.9% of the manufacturing workforce, while in West Yorkshire it is just 27.1%. This is further reflected in apprenticeships, where the average is just 9% for women. We want to bridge that gap. By creating a supportive space for networking and engaging with allies, we also hope to influence strategic decisions and drive cultural and policy change. The goal is to promote inclusive economic growth by increasing representation and inspiring future generations.
Thursday 12 June (6pm - 8.30pm)
Awards presentation evening for nominees, sponsors, participants and supporters of the 2025 Leeds Manufacturing Festival. Compered by Greg Wright, deputy business editor of the Yorkshire Post, 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.
Tuesday, 20 May (8.30am - 10.30am)
Manufacturing is key to the economy of West Yorkshire and the UK, accounting for 45% of exports and over 60% of all business spend on research and development. But how can manufacturers access the higher level skills they need to develop their workforce and bring through a new generation of leaders and talent to keep on innovating and secure the future of the sector. Leeds Beckett University hosts this event which explores the role of collaboration between higher education and industry in skills development and driving economic growth.
Tuesday 6 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 students at Mount St Mary's, 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.
Wednesday 30 April
Find out about the opportunities careers in manufacturing and engineering offer for young people 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 Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy at this live careers panel, organised by Ahead Partnership on behalf of Leeds Manufacturing Festival.
Thursday 24/4/25 (8.30am - 10.30am)
UTC Leeds hosts this session focusing on how T Levels and industry placements can create pathways for apprenticeship recruitment and how best practice can ensure apprentices successfully complete their training. Featuring a panel of apprentices and young people working in manufacturing who will describe their experience and how employers can attract the next generation and the best young talent into the industry.
Thursday 13/3/25 (8.30am - 10.30am)
Join us at Leeds City College for the launch of the 2025 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.
Confirmed speakers include Chris Black, managing director of Sound Leisure and president of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Poppy Bramford, senior policy manager from training and skills charity Enginuity, and Matt Booth, associate director at E3 Recruitment.
Leeds Manufacturing Festival is sponsored by: E3 Recruitment, Enginuity, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds City Council, AW Hainsworth, Facultatieve Technologies, Greyhound Box, Kirkstall Precision Engineering, Leeds Welding Company, MA Ford Europe, MPM, Saftronics, Sound Leisure
Thursday 13/3/25 (11am to 4.30pm)
This careers fair follows on from the morning launch event and 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: Faron.Convey@aheadpartnership.org.uk
Wednesday 26/2/25 (9am - 3pm)
Join us for the Advancing Manufacturing Futures summit sponsored by Lloyds Bank and delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, RTC North and Made Smarter.
This is one of the most anticipated events in the industry and will be an unmissable opportunity to foster connections with manufacturers in West Yorkshire. Join us in sharing insights, experience and best practice, learn about latest industry trends and showcase the latest innovations in manufacturing.
Advancing Manufacturing Futures offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators. We will explore the evolving needs of West Yorkshire manufacturers, and cultivate a valuable community dedicated to collaboration.
We hope you can join us for this unmissable event. Places are limited, so secure your tickets today!
Wednesday 12/2/25 (1pm - 7pm)
Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair (LARF 2025) will 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.