Employers from across Leeds opened their doors on National Manufacturing Day (26/9/24) to engineering students from UTC Leeds and Leeds City College school of engineering, showcasing the roles and career opportunities the sector has to offer young people.

Now in its third year, National Manufacturing Day is an initiative spearheaded by employers’ organisation Make UK, aimed at students but also parents, teachers and school careers leads and designed to attract the next generation of learners into the industry.

Leeds Welding Company, textile firm Abraham Moon & Sons, jukebox manufacturer Sound Leisure and advanced engineering LBBC, along with electrical engineering firms Saftronics and Bensons Panels, hosted factory tours for students who also got to meet and talk to members of staff about their roles and what it’s like to work in modern manufacturing company.

Matt Webley, Leeds City College’s pastoral lead, said: “It’s great curriculum enrichment for our students. They get to see in practice how the skills and knowledge they learn in college translated into the working environment and the kinds of roles that are available right here in Leeds.”

Steve Davison, head of engineering at UTC Leeds, added: “It’s amazing to be able to bring our students out to visit these companies, see first-hand what they do and meet some of their staff. It really brings their studies to life and gives them a glimpse of where their careers might take them.”

The visits were organised as part of the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, a year-round programme of events designed to raise the profile of the sector in Leeds and promote better engagement between employers, local schools, colleges and training providers.

Hot on the heels of National Manufacturing Day, students from Roundhay School took part in a STEM sector careers showcase with glass-fibre manufacturer MPM exhibiting alongside textile firm AW Hainsworth, apprenticeship training provider Apris and other employers offering science and technology-based jobs.

Manufacturing is a key sector for the economy in Leeds and West Yorkshire, with nearly 5,600 firms directly employing over 104,000 and supporting thousands of supply chain and professional services jobs. Together they contribute over 13% of the region’s total economic output

Rates of pay in manufacturing, together with, training and benefits, are also much better than other sectors, both for entry level positions and apprentices, as well as more experienced technical and managerial roles. According to figures from Make UK, the average salary in manufacturing is £38,769 compared to £35,404 for the economy as a whole.

To find out more about careers in manufacturing, young people and parents are invited to attend the ‘Discovering Apprenticeships’ session taking place at Leeds Beckett University on Wednesday 4/12/24.

Organised by Leeds City Council Employment & Skills Service, the employer-led presentation are an ideal chance to find out about what apprenticeships involve, what employers are looking for and much more. You’ll also hear from apprentices who will talk about their journeys and the benefits of doing an apprenticeship in allowing you to gain qualifications whilst earning a salary.