Leeds Manufacturing Festival 2026 Launch: Join Us to Celebrate the Future of Manufacturing

The Leeds Manufacturing Festival returns in 2026 with a dynamic programme aimed at showcasing the diverse career opportunities within the city’s manufacturing sector. The festival kicks off with its official launch event on Wednesday 11th March 2026 at Leeds City College. This event is designed to bring together employers, educators, and young people to explore the vibrant world of manufacturing and engineering in Leeds, and to set the tone for a festival that celebrates innovation, skills and collaboration across the region.

Why Attend the Launch Event?

The launch event offers a unique platform for attendees to engage directly with the organisations and people shaping the future of manufacturing in Leeds. Whether you are an employer looking to connect with future talent, an educator keen to strengthen industry links, or a student exploring career options, this event provides valuable insight, inspiration and opportunity in one place.

Attendees will have the chance to:

• Engage with industry leaders and gain insights into the manufacturing sector’s future, including emerging trends, skills in demand and new technologies transforming the workplace.
• Network with educators, employers, and peers who are passionate about manufacturing, helping to build meaningful connections that can support future collaboration, learning and career development.
• Discover the wide range of upcoming events and initiatives planned throughout the festival, from school engagement activities to employer open days, careers fairs and skills focused sessions.

The launch event is more than just an introduction to the festival, it is an opportunity to be part of a citywide movement that is championing manufacturing, addressing the skills gap and inspiring the next generation of engineers, technicians and innovators. It provides a space to learn, connect and contribute to the ongoing conversation about the future of the sector in Leeds and beyond.

Celebrating Our Sponsors

The success of LMF is made possible through the generous support of it’s sponsors.

Headline sponsors include:

• E3 Recruitment
• Enginuity
• Leeds Beckett University
• Leeds City Council
• Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber
• Made in Yorkshire
• Next Gen Makers
• Leeds City College School of Engineering

Manufacturing sponsors:

• Greyhound Box
• LWC Group
• MPM Group
• Sound Leisure
• RSE Control Systems (Saftronics)
• Kirkstall Precision
• Bensons Panels
• Facultatieve Technologies
• AW Hainsworth
• MA Ford Europe
• Brandon Medical
• Involution

The 2026 Events Programme

The festival delivers a packed and diverse events programme throughout the first half of the year, designed to connect young people, educators and employers with the opportunities available in manufacturing and engineering across the Leeds region.

Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair – Wednesday 11th February

Employers came together at the First Direct Arena to meet thousands of school and college students during National Apprenticeship Week. Exhibitors on the Leeds Manufacturing Festival stand promoted live apprenticeship vacancies and engage directly with young talent and families considering careers in manufacturing.

Inset Day – Monday 23rd February

Teaching staff from UTC Leeds took part in an inset day hosted by local manufacturing firms. These company visits, factory tours and workshops aimed to enrich classroom practice with real-world industry insights and foster stronger links between education and modern manufacturing workplaces.

Official Launch Event – Wednesday 11th March

Held at Leeds City College, the launch sets the tone for the year’s activities. Attendees will hear from industry leaders and senior education representatives on workforce development, recruitment challenges and local collaboration, with opportunities to learn how organisations can get involved in the festival’s wider programme.

Manufacturing Careers Showcase – Wednesday 25th March

A key highlight on the calendar is the showcase, a careers fair with the chance to speak to manufacturing employers as well as break-out sessions on CVs, interview preparation and work readiness and panel discussions with employers and teaching staff.

Let’s Talk Manufacturing: Live Careers Panel – Thursday 30th April

A number of manufacturing leaders will sit on a careers panel for Q&A sessions with the students at Rodillian Academy to broaden understanding of career pathways within engineering and manufacturing.

Engineering Change: Women in Manufacturing – Friday 1st May

This networking session at Allerton Grange focused on promote inclusivity across the sector, specifically for women in manufacturing gives students to meet members of the manufacturing industry and find out more about careers and being a woman working within the sector.

‘Next Gen’ Awards Presentation Evening – Thursday 4th June

Awards ceremony held at Leeds Beckett University, celebrating emerging talent and outstanding contributions within the local manufacturing community.

STEMFest – Wednesday 1st/Thursday 2nd July

Providing a two-day showcase for students aged 10-14, featuring interactive exhibits and hands-on activities to spark interest in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing careers.

Why We Get Involved

As a proud sponsor of the Leeds Manufacturing Festival for the fifth consecutive year, we are delighted to continue our support of this important initiative. We remain committed to championing manufacturing and engineering talent across the region, and our involvement reflects our belief in the power of collaboration between industry, education and communities. The festival plays a vital role in inspiring future generations, raising the profile of career opportunities, and strengthening the skills pipeline that our sector depends on. By partnering with LMF once again, we are reinforcing our dedication to helping build a strong, sustainable and skilled manufacturing workforce across Leeds and beyond.

“Leeds Manufacturing Festival is hugely important to us because it brings together industry, education and future talent in one place with a shared purpose. Over the past five years, our involvement has strengthened our relationships across the sector, raised our profile with employers and candidates, and allowed us to play an active role in tackling the skills gap while helping to inspire the next generation of engineers and manufacturers in the region.” – Matt Booth, Associate Director at E3 Recruitment

Join Us

Be part of this exciting journey to inspire the next generation of manufacturing talent. Register now for the launch event and explore the full programme of events planned for LMF 2026. Whether you are looking to recruit, learn, connect or simply gain a better understanding of modern manufacturing, the launch event is the perfect place to start.

Register for the Leeds Manufacturing Festival Launch Event here!