Manufacturers from across the city joined forces for the 2020 Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair, the biggest event of its kind in the North. The event at Leeds Arena attracted over 6,000 young people, their parents and carers, providing a great platform to showcase the city’s manufacturing sector and the career opportunities it offers.
Companies flying the flag for the Leeds manufacturing sector included paper manufacturer Weidmann Whiteley, packaging company Greyhound Box, engineering firm LBBC Technologies, Armley-based Perry Uniform, plus med-tech firms B.Braun Sterilog and Medasil.
They joined members of the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance – MPM Ltd, Daletech, Saftronics, Brandon Medical and Sound Leisure – to talk to young people about the wide range of careers available and what it’s like to work in manufacturing today.
Leeds Welding Company and Echo Safety Group also exhibited at the apprenticeship fair, making it a record turnout for manufacturing firms at the event which takes place every year during National Apprenticeship Week.
School uniform manufacturer Perry Uniform has invested heavily in training in many areas of the business and has recently recruited two new apprentices. They follow in the footsteps of other key members of staff who have successfully completed apprenticeships with the company.
They were present on the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance exhibition stand to talk to young people about their experience and why they chose apprenticeships.
Managing director Bernard Bunting said: “We were delighted to be involved with the apprenticeship fair as we are looking to recruit another four apprentices in the factory together with one in garment tech/design and one in accounts and administration.
“It was a great opportunity to fly the flag for what we do at Perry Uniform and the team came away with lots of potential applicants.”
Claire Monk, business development manager at Greyhound Box, said: “The event proved to be a great success with over 6,000 attendees and a showcase for the diversity in manufacturing roles and the excellent opportunities and support available in Leeds,” added
“It was great to be part of the LMA team and meet with students and their families to further understand the challenges in career path choice.”
Kirstie Oliver, marketing executive at LBBC Technologies added: “It was great to see so many young, enthusiastic individuals interested in apprenticeships that the Leeds City Region has to offer, especially within manufacturing and engineering.
“We were proud to be there, representing our sector as part of Leeds Manufacturing Alliance. Thank you for inviting us to be part of what was a very successful recruitment apprenticeship fair.”
