MANUFACTURING

Task force to inspire pupils

Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2021 deploys apprentice task force to help inspire pupils.

Bradford’s apprentices are coming out in force to encourage more of the district’s school children to consider a career in manufacturing. A task force of current apprentices from Bradford manufacturers including Christeyns UK, Produmax, Solenis and Carnaud Metalbox will be taking part in a series of events as part of October’s Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2021 and from September, a calendar of local apprenticeship opportunities will be available – alongside current apprentice information films - on the Bradford Manufacturing Weeks website. Led by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce with primary sponsorship from Barclays and additional sponsorship from Naylor Wintersgill, E3 Recruitment, LCF Law and Bradford Council, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks has created more than 12,000 manufacturing experiences for the district’s 14-18 yearold students since its launch in 2018. Following the success of 2020’s virtual initiative which attracted 4,551 young people to online careers events and video tours of local manufacturing operations, this year’s event, running from 4 - 15 October is expected to combine online and in person experiences. Bradford Manufacturing Weeks is delivered in partnership with Bradfordbased school and career specialists The Opportunity Centre (formerly Aspire igen), and for 2021 includes a competition to create an innovative solution for waste recycling in schools. With a £500 cash prize to the winning team, the competition will involve pupils across different subjects from art and design to technology and science. Additional activities during the fortnight include virtual tours of local manufacturing facilities, “Meet the Manufacturer”, Manufacturers Live and Apprentices Live Q&A sessions, a police and fire and rescue service-led Driver Awareness Event at Valley Parade and Barclays Life Skills sessions covering CV writing and interview guidance. Lee Collinson, Head of Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics at Barclays said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring Bradford Manufacturing weeks for another year. Young people and apprentices will be essential to the manufacturing sector as it seeks to build back better from the pandemic and it is fantastic to see such large numbers of businesses and schools involved” Bradford Manufacturing Weeks runs from 4 -15 October. For more details of how your school or your manufacturing business can get involved, please visit the website www. bradfordmanufacturingweek.co.uk.

MANUFACTURING

Raising the profile of manufacturing in Leeds

Despite the recent challenges from the pandemic, the depth and diversity of careers are still available in manufacturing.

Leeds Manufacturing Festival, which is organised by the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance, Leeds Chamber of Commerce, and supported by sponsors, brings greater awareness to the depth of career opportunities within manufacturing. This year’s festival offers a series of online local events virtually opening the doors of manufacturers to young people, schools and local communities. A series of webinars will be hosted on several topics to raise the profile of manufacturing and support manufacturers to attract the next generation of young people. Manufacturing needs young people, fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Visit leedsmanufacturingfestival.co.uk for a complete list of events and more information.