E3 Recruitment: Championing Manufacturing Through Leeds Manufacturing Festival 2025

For the fourth consecutive year, E3 Recruitment is proud to be a headline sponsor of the Leeds Manufacturing Festival (LMF)—a key initiative that connects manufacturers, educators, and young people to tackle the skills gap and secure the future of the industry.

With 85% of manufacturers struggling with skills shortages, events like LMF aren’t just about raising awareness—they’re about actionable change. This festival plays a crucial role in helping businesses, particularly SMEs, engage with the next generation of talent, offering a platform for industry leaders to shape the future workforce.

Why We Invest in Leeds Manufacturing Festival

Manufacturing is the backbone of the UK economy, contributing nearly £224 billion annually. However, its future depends on its ability to attract and retain talent. At E3 Recruitment, we don’t just recruit for the industry—we advocate for it. Sponsoring the Leeds Manufacturing Festival is just one way we actively support manufacturers in addressing their biggest workforce challenges.

“Manufacturing is facing a critical skills shortage, and businesses—especially SMEs—are feeling the pressure to attract and retain the right talent. Leeds Manufacturing Festival isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about giving manufacturers a direct opportunity to engage with the next generation and build a pipeline of future talent.

At E3 Recruitment, we see first-hand the challenges manufacturers face in hiring skilled workers, and that’s why we’re committed to supporting initiatives like this. By working together, businesses of all sizes can make a real impact in bridging the skills gap and securing the future of the industry.” – Matt Booth, Associate Director.

By working directly with employers of all sizes—including SMEs who often struggle to compete for skilled workers—LMF provides opportunities to:

• Engage with students through workplace visits, careers showcases, and live events.
• Highlight real career opportunities available within manufacturing, from apprenticeships to leadership roles.
• Address common recruitment challenges, such as industry perception and lack of awareness about available careers.

For SMEs, initiatives like this are vital. While large manufacturers often have established graduate and apprenticeship schemes, smaller businesses don’t always have the resources or visibility to attract the right talent. Leeds Manufacturing Festival helps level the playing field, giving SMEs a chance to connect directly with young people considering careers in the sector.

Working with Industry Leaders

This year, we are excited to be joined by Enginuity and Leeds Beckett University as co-headline sponsors, alongside an incredible group of manufacturing sponsors including:

• AW Hainsworth
• Greyhound Box
• Kirkstall Precision Engineering
• Leeds Welding Company
• MPM
• Saftronics
• Sound Leisure
• MA Ford Europe (New Sponsor)
• Facultatieve Technologies (New Sponsor)
• Technical Control Systems (New Sponsor)

These businesses, like us, recognise that investing in future talent is key to industry sustainability. The more manufacturers that get involved, the stronger our collective impact will be.

Leeds Manufacturing Festival Events Programme 2025

• Launch Event at Leeds City College – Thursday 13th of March. Register Here
• Manufacturing Careers Showcase for Students at Leeds City College – Thursday 13th of March
• Manufacturing Careers Panel for Students at Coburn John Charles & Elliot Hudson College
• Futureproofing your workforce: The Recruitment and Skills Challenge for Manufacturing at UTC Leeds – Thursday 24th April.
• Women in Engineering and Manufacturing Careers Panel at Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School
• Higher Level Skills in Manufacturing at The Knowledge Hub at Leeds Beckett University – Date TBC
• Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards at Leeds Beckett University – Thursday 12th of June
• National Manufacturing Day – Monday 25th September.

E3 Recruitment’s Commitment to the Industry

At E3 Recruitment, we work beyond recruitment—helping manufacturers build strategies for long-term talent attraction and workforce planning. Whether through initiatives like LMF or by providing insight-led recruitment solutions, our goal is to support the industry at every level.

The skills gap isn’t something that can be solved overnight—but by working together, businesses, educators, and industry leaders can make a difference. We look forward to another year of supporting manufacturers through Leeds Manufacturing Festival.

For more information on how you can get involved with Leeds Manufacturing Festival, please reach out to our marketing team at marketing@e3recruitment.com – who will be able to provide you with insights into the festival, and the different ways you can support or host a Company open day.