Excel Water, Perry Uniform, Siemens and Aptar UK are amongst the latest firms to sign up to the Leeds Manufacturing Festival and its year-round programme of school visits, careers events, work experience and factory tours, which aim to open the eyes of the next generation to career opportunities the sector presents.
Now in its second year and with support of over 50 manufacturing employers, Leeds Manufacturing Festival has set itself the ambitious target of engaging 40 of the district’s 56 secondary schools and reaching over 10,000 school students.
“We’re well ahead of where we were this time last year,” said Daletech Electronics managing director Tracey Dawson. “In its first year the festival saw 61 events take place, reaching over 4,000 students. It was a great achievement but this time we’ve set our sights even higher.”
Since the festival was launched at the end March, more than 2,500 school students have had the chance to find out more about working in manufacturing and the career opportunities it presents.
“It’s not all about advanced engineering. There’s plenty of demand for technical and practical skills,” said Ben Wilson of GRP manufacturer MPM Ltd. “Manufacturing offers great opportunities to learn on the job and do something different.”
The festival reaches a climax in October with a series of events designed to celebrate and raise the profile of the city’s manufacturing sector.
UTC Leeds will host the Leeds Manufacturing Live streaming event on 4th Oct, with manufacturing employers and employees from across Leeds fielding questions from young people.
And on 22nd October Leeds Civic Hall hosts a manufacturing exhibition for schools and members of the public, showcasing the diversity of manufacturing in Leeds and giving young people, their parent and teachers the opportunity to find out about careers in manufacturing.
Employers interested in getting involved with the festival can sign up via the contact page: https://leedsmanufacturingfestival.co.uk/contact
