IT’S hoped this years Bradford Manufacturing Weeks will be “the most impactful one yet”.
The aim of the two-week is to open young people’s eyes to the wealth of career opportunities available right on their doorstep.
Apprentices, pupils, manufacturers and dignitaries, including West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, joined manufacturing host Christeyns UK Ltd at its Bradford site to announce this year’s itinerary.
What is Bradford Manufacturing Weeks?
Since 2018, the annual campaign, led by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, has created more than 15,000 manufacturing experiences for the district’s 14-18 year old students by delivering two weeks of employer-led manufacturing activities into Bradford’s schools and colleges.
Sponsored for 2022 by Bradford Council, E3 Recruitment, the University of Bradford, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Naylor Wintersgill and LCF Law, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks will run from October 3-14 and include a Women in Manufacturing Q&A event; ‘Meet the Manufacturer’ and ‘Meet the Apprentice’ panel events, University of Bradford faculty tours, a host of factory site visits, work placement opportunities, plus activities tailored to pupils with special educational needs.
Bradford Manufacturing Weeks is delivered in partnership with Bradford-based school and career specialists The Opportunity Centre and following last year’s success, which saw manufacturing experiences delivered to 3,000 local young people, this year’s fortnight will continue to combine online and in-person experiences.
Mayor Brabin said: “By bringing together the region’s manufacturers with schools and colleges, our young people get to see first-hand the creativity and innovation that is happening on their doorstep.
“As your Mayor, I am championing our fabulous regional businesses and ensuring that we have skills and training provision that helps people to get up and get on. Our manufacturing industry plays a central role in this. West Yorkshire is home to more manufacturing jobs than anywhere else in the North and I want us to do all that we can to support our world-class manufacturing sector.”
'We can change lives and change futures'
Nick Garthwaite, founder of Bradford Manufacturing Weeks and vice chair of the West & North Yorkshire Chamber board, said: “We want Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2022 to be our most impactful yet. We can change lives, change futures and change perspectives on the career opportunities manufacturing brings – but we can’t do it alone.
“We need manufacturers and schools to register now on the Bradford Manufacturing Weeks website to ensure we can plan for and deliver the experiences in schools and onsite which will ensure our young people recognise and reach their potential.”
For more details and to register your involvement, visit www.bradfordmanufacturingweeks.co.uk.
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