E3R sponsors ‘virtual’ Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2020

Bradford Manufacturing Weeks is back for 2020 with a packed schedule of online events and E3 Recruitment (E3R) is proud to be sponsoring this ground-breaking initiative for the third year running.

After weeks of consultation with schools, manufacturers, partners and its sponsors, the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has announced its third annual Bradford Manufacturing Weeks initiative will go ahead and run from October 5-16, 2020.

In a letter to Bradford’s 1,200 manufacturers, Nick Garthwaite, founder of the initiative, Chair of the Chamber and Managing Director of Bradford-based international chemicals and detergents manufacturer Christeyns, said the Chamber firmly believed it had a model that will work for 2020:

“Following online meetings with teachers across the district and correspondence with manufacturers, we know there is an appetite for Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2020. Schools in particular, have expressed a real desire to give students the opportunity to once again learn more about our wonderful world of manufacturing.

“While the fortnight will run outside our normal methods of delivery with no physical meetings, networking or factory visits, we believe we can still make an engaging, educational and informative experience for the district’s young people.”

Bradford Manufacturing Weeks is designed to create more inspired, informed and ‘work ready’ applicants into the sector. Since its launch in 2018, it has created more than 8,000 experiences of manufacturing for the district’s 14 to 18-year-old students.

Commenting on the sponsorship, E3R Director Andrew Joseph said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Bradford Manufacturing Weeks for the third year running. Being a specialist manufacturing and engineering recruiter, we know the importance of introducing young people to the industry and making them aware of the opportunities available to them.

“The past few months have been challenging for everyone, but no one more so than the young people who have missed school, exams and experiences which help shape their futures. Therefore, it is more important than ever that Bradford Manufacturing Weeks goes ahead online and continues to build on the legacy already created by previous years; ensuring the industry has a pipeline of individuals wanting to join it, ensuring its future success and growth.”

Other sponsors include Barclays, Naylor Wintersgill, Gordons LLP and Bradford Council.

Delivered in partnership with Bradford-based school and career specialists Aspire igen, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2020 will introduce its first competition asking students to create a sanistation for use in schools or colleges.

Online activities also planned for this year include virtual tours of local manufacturing facilities, “Meet the Manufacturer” Q&A sessions, Apprentices Live with a panel of apprentices talking about their roles as apprentices and answering questions posed by students, Manufacturers Live and online sessions covering CV writing and interview guidance.

Nick concluded: “Despite the challenges of this year, it is so important that we stimulate our young people. They have had a tough time recently with not being at school and there is some talk of this being the “Covid-19 lost generation” with learning disrupted, exams untaken and work experiences not had.

“I believe that Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2020 will support and encourage our district’s young people to see the future opportunities within Bradford’s manufacturers and in turn, ensure our sector is robust and has longevity with a pipeline of talented young people for generations to come.”

For more information on Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2020 please visit: www.bradfordmanufacturingweek.co.uk