Leeds Manufacturing Festival launches 2025 programme with need for ‘generational shift’ topping the agenda

The festival, which kicks off this week with a packed programme running through to September, is focused on raising the profile of the diverse range of careers in the sector that are on offer for young people.

At a sold-out launch event on Thursday (March 13), keynote speaker Amanda McLaren, MD of Leeds textile manufacturer AW Hainsworth, will tell an audience of manufacturing employers and other industry insiders how a drive for innovation and commitment to sustainability has played a key role in attracting younger people into the business.

Since Amanda joined AW Hainsworth in 2020, a “generational shift” has taken place, with 30% of the company’s workforce now aged 35 or under. This has been down to taking part in apprenticeship fairs, partnering with colleges and universities and giving young people access and industry insights at its Pudsey mill.

Leeds Manufacturing Festival organisers say connecting students at schools and colleges with the dozens of Yorkshire manufacturing and engineering businesses involved in the initiative is more crucial than ever to bridge the skills gap and secure the future of the sector.

Some of the biggest names in manufacturing and engineering are backing this year’s festival, as well as many smaller firms, with the programme of events playing a major role in helping companies to recruit new talent through apprenticeships and traineeships.

Chris Black, MD of Leeds-based jukebox manufacturer Sound Leisure and spokesperson for the 2025 festival, said: “Every year the Leeds Manufacturing Festival gets better and more effective at connecting keen, motivated young people with top-class manufacturing and engineering employers, large and small, who have great careers on offer across the region.

“We have seen that the festival is very successful in punching through and we are making a real impact on young people’s awareness of manufacturing as a well-paid and fulfilling career choice, and the skills that they need to acquire at school or college in order to pursue any of the diverse range of jobs and apprenticeships available in the industry.”

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The line up of speakers at the festival launch event on Thursday will include award-winning Leeds engineering apprentice Cameron Pinder and Poppy Bramford, senior policy manager at Enginuity, the UK charity aimed at closing the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing.

Highlights of this year’s festival programme include engaging careers showcases and panels that will enable students to meet employers, as well as company visits and insight days, a Women in Engineering and Manufacturing event, as well as the hotly anticipated annual Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards which take place in June and celebrate some of the outstanding younger people working in the industry.

For more information and the full Leeds Manufacturing Festival 2025 programme, go to their website.