Hundreds of companies celebrate National Manufacturing Day

Hundreds of British manufacturing companies are opening their doors in a UK-wide open house today (26 Sept), giving their local communities the chance to see the highly paid careers and jobs on offer in our exciting and diverse sector.

The Make UK events map Find An Event | NMD 2024 showcases all the events happening across the whole of the manufacturing spectrum, from engineering to food and drink and aerospace. Visitors can take part in hands-on activities including how to build your own aeroplane, design a circuit board from scratch, 3-D printing, virtual welding and see how lifeboats start production as simple composites. Young people will also have the opportunity to talk to apprentices about their careers and speak to planning, design and research teams working on the innovations of tomorrow.

One manufacturer taking part is Ideal Heating, which welcomed students from three schools and colleges across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire to its headquarters in Hull for a behind-the-scenes tour of its operations. Students toured Ideal Heating’s production, research and development and logistics facilities, and learned about the products and technologies which have helped the company become one of the UK’s top manufacturers.

John Cook, production director at Ideal Heating, said: “It’s so important that we have the opportunity to introduce the next generation of manufacturers and engineers to Ideal Heating, so they get the chance to see what the world of work looks like. As active and proud members of Make UK, National Manufacturing Day demonstrates a partnership that is now providing real value and shaping the way we engage with schools and colleges. For young people who have not yet decided on their career path and ambitions, days like today are so important to open their eyes to what is available to them.”

A thousand local school and college students are expected to attend West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services’ showcase of the region’s brightest and best manufacturers, with many companies hoping to inspire visitors into a career in this well-paid sector.

While high-street favourite and cosmetics retailer Lush is just one of many businesses hosting an open day for its local schools and community. Visitors will get the chance to make their very own bath bomb and also see Lush’s Green Hub, the brand’s pioneering investment into the circular economy.

National Manufacturing Day will also give visitors a unique chance to visit the RNLI’s all-weather Lifeboat Centre, where the state-of-the-art jet propulsion Shannon lifeboats are designed and built before being launched into Poole harbour for extensive sea trials.

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, said: “National Manufacturing Day is my favourite day of the year – where the manufacturing sector comes together to celebrate all the amazing things that Britain designs and makes. Our companies are at the forefront of technology development and some of the most innovative engineering research and development seen anywhere around the world. This is a sector with a host of wonderful opportunities for people of all ages and we hope this third National Manufacturing Day will help people who have never had the chance to see inside their local businesses a good understanding of what is going on and the opportunities available to them.”

Sarah Jones, industry minister, added: “This new government will put manufacturing at the heart of its Industrial Strategy because good, well-paid jobs will drive the economic growth we all want to see. National Manufacturing Day is a chance for us to celebrate the vital contribution great British manufacturing makes to our economy, supporting thousands of skilled jobs across the country and keeping the UK at the cutting edge of innovation.”