Launch of Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2025

West & North Yorkshire’s Bradford Manufacturing Weeks is officially underway, with more schools and businesses involved than ever before. 

The initiative, organised by the Chamber and SkillsHouse at Bradford Metropolitan District Council, brings manufacturers, schools and young people together through tours, work experience, seminars, exhibitions and learning events held at manufacturer premises and key locations across the district. 

Now in its seventh year, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks has connected thousands of students in the region with manufacturers, helping to give insight to the sector for many and helped to launch many a career in the sector.  

This year we have 30 schools and manufacturers involved with the programme, which has proved so popular that we practically had to close our doors to new supporters. Speakers at the launch event included Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Samuel Perry, regional director at NatWest and Harriet Bean from BASF, who was awarded engineering final year award 2024 with Make UK and now runs outreach programmes to inspire young people into STEM. 

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It was great to kick off Bradford Manufacturing Weeks as we celebrate our region’s world-leading sector. With the largest manufacturing workforce in the North of England, this sector contributes £7 billion to our regional economy each year. 

“By shining a light on the innovative companies creating jobs and growth across Bradford, we can inspire the next generation of talent and ensure this thriving sector is accessible for all.” 

A chamber spokesperson said: “Bradford has one of the finest manufacturing sectors in the country and Bradford Manufacturing Weeks has done so much good work in giving it new blood.

“Manufacturing can offer a well-paid, secure and incredibly interesting career that can take our residents to work across the planet.” 

A range of manufacturer site tours will be taking place over the main two-week programme as well as other events, including an apprentice panel at New College Bradford with more than 100 young people and a women in manufacturing event in Saltaire which will see more than 100 young women attending to find out about opportunities in the sector.  

Our sincere thanks go to this year’s sponsors: NatWest, University of Bradford, Azets, Schofield Sweeney, Solenis, Make UK, Appris, Bradford College, Keighley College and Produmax.