AS a child, Gabrielle Lloyd liked to dismantle things - she’d wait until her dad had gone to work then find his tools to take household objects apart.

“I even took doors off hinges, needless to say he wasn’t impressed when they stopped shutting!” she says. “I wanted to follow him into joinery but once I started engineering work experience I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

Now Gabrielle, 19, works at CarnaudMetalBox Engineering. It was doing work experience in sixth form that she heard of an apprenticeship opportunity at the Shipley-based company, and she was awarded the first female apprenticeship as a mechanical fitter engineer. “I really want to encourage more girls into what’s proving to be a fantastic career,” says Gabrielle. “As I become more experienced, I’m trusted to do more without supervision. I’ve learnt a lot from my mentor.

“I wish I’d heard about Bradford Manufacturing Weeks when I was choosing my GCSEs; these are such important subject choices which can shape our careers. People would try and push me into university, which didn’t appeal. Working as an apprentice has been a huge boost to my confidence. Despite being the only female fitter, I’ve been welcomed by the rest of the guys and I’m proud that two more female fitters have recently started.”

A task force of apprentices from Bradford manufacturers, including Christeyns UK, Produmax, Solenis and CarnaudMetalbox, are taking part in a series of events for Bradford Manufacturing Weeks (BMW) 2021 from October 4-15. From September, a calendar of local apprenticeship opportunities will be available, alongside information films, on the BMW 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, BMW has created more than 12,000 manufacturing experiences for 14-18-year-olds since its launch in 2018. Following 2020’s virtual initiative, which attracted 4,551 young people to online careers events, this year’s event is expected to combine online and in-person experiences.

Suzanne Watson, President of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “With 37 schools already signed up and manufacturers taking advantage of virtual event options, our fortnight has become important to many schools. Bradford’s strong manufacturing sector has a responsibility to encourage pupils to find out more about career opportunities on their doorstep and our programme of events, many led by current apprentices, is designed to do just that.

“Last year’s online events were hugely popular with schools because they were so accessible. Manufacturers can be reassured that whatever restrictions we’re working with, their contributions are immensely valuable to pupils.”

In 2018 Ben Bott joinied a tour of Baildon-based aerospace manufacturers, Produmax. Now Ben, 17, has completed his second year as an engineering apprentice there and was Outstanding Apprentice of the Year in the Keighley Training Consortium’s Milner Awards. He’s keen to support the next generation of engineers: “If I hadn’t taken that tour at Produmax, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It kickstarted my career, the rest is up to me.”

Hena Arif is a business administration apprentice at chemicals and detergents firm Christeyns UK: “I saw manufacturing as men working with machines. I never thought there was a business admin side, which is where I’ve spent two years of my apprenticeship and really enjoyed it. My aim is to qualify in the health and safety sector and become a manager. Apprenticeships are a good way to start. You’re getting trained and paid while studying.”

Jasmine Hibbert, 20, is an apprentice engineer at aerospace manufacturer Produmax and will soon begin a degree apprenticeship in electro-mechanical engineering: “I was proud to be named a team leader of an area of the factory floor - a milestone for an apprentice and a female!

With 1,170 manufacturers employing 27,000 people, Bradford is the UK’s seventh largest manufacturing location. Significant sectors are food and drink, advanced engineering, printing, chemicals and automotive.

BMW is delivered in partnership with Bradford school and career specialists The Opportunity Centre. It includes a schools competition to create a waste-recycling solution, a rescue service driver event and life skills sessions. Lee Collinson, Head of Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics at Barclays says “Young people and apprentices will be essential to the manufacturing sector as it seeks to build back better from the pandemic, it’s fantastic to see such large numbers of businesses and schools involved.”

l To get involved email Laura.dooher@theopportunitycentre.com