On September 26th this year, hundreds of British manufacturing companies will once again open their doors in a UK-wide Open House called National Manufacturing Day 2024, giving their local communities the chance to see the potential careers and jobs on offer.
For the third year running, schools, colleges, universities and members of the public will be invited on NMD to experience first-hand what manufacturers do, how they create some of our most loved household brands and see some of the most cutting-edge tech used in business anywhere in the world.
Hundreds of British manufacturing companies will once again open their doors in a UK-wide Open House on the 26th of September, giving their local communities the chance to see the potential careers and jobs on offer.
For the third year running, schools, colleges, universities and members of the public will be invited on NMD to experience first-hand what manufacturers do, how they create some of our most loved household brands and see some of the most cutting-edge tech used in business anywhere in the world.
Businesses from aerospace, engineering, defence to food and drink will host a gigantic celebration on National Manufacturing Day (NMD) to showcase their production operations, how their company works and to put on a series of fun events throughout the day.
The day itself will be a national celebration of UK manufacturing and a chance to raise the profile of the sector.
Businesses will put on a variety of tours, demonstrations of what they do, and give people the chance to talk to their apprentices and members of staff about the job opportunities on offer and what it is really like to work in modern manufacturing. Showcasing roles that pay more than the national average and, throughout someone’s career, provide constant opportunities for training and retraining – so work never becomes dull.
Rowan Crozier, CEO of C Brandauer & Co Ltd, is supporting Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day after recruiting engineering apprentices from previous events he has hosted at Make UK’s NMD last year.
The company ran paid work experience for six children and grandchildren of their employees for a whole week, culminating on NMD itself. The students saw engineering brought to life and were hooked.
Rowan said: “From the first day we had them building components and assemblies which will end up on our future electric vehicles. The work ignited their enthusiasm, and by the end of NMD 2022, two had signed up with us for an engineering apprenticeship and it was all because we had taken part in this great initiate from Make UK.
“I cannot urge companies more to sign up and take part in National Manufacturing Day so they can find their engineers and managers of the future.”
Following a successful National Manufacturing Day in 2023, West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services, along with partners Make UK, Calderdale College and a wide variety of manufacturers, will again be opening their doors in Brighouse to showcase the very best of manufacturing in West Yorkshire.
In 2023, school pupils who visited the event at WYMS got to experience a broad range of hands-on, interactive activities and had discussions with local manufacturers. The activities included using robots, experiencing VR, racing cars on the F1 in Schools track, building electronics boards, landing a flight simulator and watching demonstrations in The Engineering Centre at Calderdale College, in addition to speaking to apprentices and learning about careers within manufacturing.
Local student Finley Hodgson who attended the event in 2023 was asked what he enjoyed about the day & why students should attend in 2024, “I enjoyed meeting local employers, learning about F1 in schools and how things work. I think other students would really enjoy the event as all of my classmates enjoyed seeing and using the products made and used in the local area. A good example was when we learnt and experimented with sound systems created for big events such as the American Super Bowl made by Calrec in Hebden Bridge”.
In 2024 the organisers are aiming to welcome more manufacturers and schools as there is an urgent need to encourage more young people into the sector. This has been made possible with, Huddersfield-based Eastwood Insurance Brokers becoming the headline sponsor for 2024.
Tony Crabtree, Director at Eastwood Insurance Brokers said, “Our location in the heart of West Yorkshire places manufacturing companies as the bedrock of our business. Having heard first-hand from Beth Ward at WYMS about the principles behind National Manufacturing Day, the benefits to those companies taking part and the attracting of young people into the manufacturing sector, this is an event we are delighted to support as headline sponsor”.
Explaining why WYMS get involved in the day, Beth Ward, Head of Marketing & Communications said “West Yorkshire is home to an abundance of ambitious and sector leading manufacturing companies contributing £7 billion to the regional economy and employing over 110,000 people. However, there is a shortage of young people entering the sector and it is up to everyone in the sector to use days such as National Manufacturing Day to showcase just how dynamic, creative and innovative modern-day manufacturing is & to highlight the variety of jobs that exist within this sector”.
Make UK is also working with GetMyFirstJob to engage with young people up and down the country to promote the amazing careers available in manufacturing.
The UK is now the eighth largest manufacturing nation in the world but young people still do not realise it’s a rewarding and exciting sector for a career. With an ageing workforce the manufacturing sector needs to attract bright young talent.
Young people can start an apprenticeship in Manufacturing straight from GCSEs and there are opportunities available nationally. The sector has some of the highest starting wages around, and brilliant prospects for learning and climbing the career ladder quickly.
One of the main issues for UK Manufacturers is talent pipeline, ensuring young people are aware of the variety of opportunities available to them is key. GetMyFirstJob is passionate about apprenticeships and ensuring all young people have access to careers information. TikTok is the number one platform for young people to access careers advice.
To ensure that the event is engaging with this audience GetMyFirstJob and Make UK are campaigning to make sure that as many young people as possible come along to see what’s on offer on National Manufacturing Day and take a look inside their local manufacturing businesses – and hopefully grab themselves an apprenticeship or a job. GetMyFirstJob works to break down barriers and make sure opportunities are available to all across all areas of the UK.
Jenny Bicknell, Director of Education Solutions, GetMyFirstJob/TheTalentPeople said: ‘‘GetMyFirstJob is delighted to partner with Make UK on National Manufacturing Day and inspire the next generation of manufacturers. We believe in connecting the disconnected by supporting and offering insight and opportunity to everyone, no matter their background.
“By partnering with Make UK, whose values align with our own, we can do just this. GetMyFirstJob and Make UK are dedicated to sharing what is possible when it comes to the manufacturing industry, and as disadvantaged young people are twice as likely to be unemployed, we are very excited to showcase the range of opportunities available.”
Ben Fletcher, Chief Operating Officer from Make UK said: “Having a dedicated partner for National Manufacturing Day who as passionate and dedicated as us to inspire the next generation ensures that we are getting the message of National Manufacturing Day to the right audience. It is so important for us to be engaging with this pipeline of talent, it is vital to the success of the UK manufacturing sector. We are pleased to be working with GetMyFirstJob on this important mission to create the sectors future makers. This partnership will ensure our members are reaching Gen Z and showcasing the amazing apprenticeships and careers available to them. Manufacturing needs a diverse workforce in order to grow and develop, GetMyFirstJob are the perfect partner to ensure we reach all young people with our messaging.”
National Manufacturing Day is a chance for UK manufacturers give their local community, schools and colleges behind the scenes access to a sector of global importance that plays a key role in the economic life of local communities across the UK. The day itself is a national celebration of UK manufacturing and a chance to raise the profile of the sector.
To find out how to get involved with National Manufacturing Day, go to www.nationalmanufacturingday.org
