Leeds manufacturing employers took centre stage at the First Direct Arena this week (Wed, 11/2/26) to promote careers and opportunities in the city’s manufacturing and engineering sector to thousands of young people attending the 2026 Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair.

Taking place during National Apprenticeship Week, the annual recruitment fair is the biggest of its kind in the North of England and this year’s event was a complete sellout with 12,000 people booked to attend.

Young people and their parents took the opportunity to talk to over 100 employers at the fair and find out more about the different types of apprenticeships, what they involve and how they work, including entry-level and degree-level apprenticeships.  

Exhibitors included major Leeds employers and training providers from accounting, business and administration, catering and hospitality, construction, creative design, education, manufacturing and engineering, finance, law, social care and health services. 

Leeds manufacturers AW Hainsworth, MPM Group, Bensons Panels, Leeds Welding Company, Greyhound Box, MA Ford Europe and RSE Control Systems (TCS) joined forces, exhibiting together with specialist manufacturing and engineering recruitment agency E3 Recruitment and national skills charity Enginuity, on the Leeds Manufacturing Festival exhibition stand.

Other manufacturing employers who represented at the fair included

Schneider Electric, Sulzer Pumps, Curtis Furniture, Depuy Synthes, Barkston Plastics, Pland Stainless and apprenticeship training provider Appris.

Live apprenticeship vacancies were advertised on digital display boards throughout the day, featuring roles such as production operatives, apprentice pipefitter / welders, apprentice automation engineers, quality inspector and quality engineers.

“The apprenticeship recruitment fair is a great way to meet and identify talented young people, with the right attitude and commitment, who can become part of our ‘next gen’ workforce,” said Ben Wilson, managing director of MPM Group. “By exhibiting together we can demonstrate the wide range of roles and opportunities available to young people.”

Steph Plazzi, marketing manager at E3 Recruitment, said: “The apprenticeship recruitment fair is always a brilliant opportunity to meet young people face to face, hear what they’re interested in, and understand what they’re looking for from their future careers.

“It’s just as much about listening and learning as it is about showcasing the incredible careers manufacturing and engineering can offer.

“Through our work with manufacturers across Leeds and the wider region, we know how important it is to connect early, break down misconceptions, and show how varied, rewarding, and long-term these careers can be.”