HUNDREDS of students across Bradford are gearing up to take part in the district’s fifth Bradford Manufacturing Weeks careers initiative.
Pupils from 40 schools and more than 30 local employers are coming together to share experiences of a career in Bradford’s manufacturing sector.
Pupils of Oastlers School in Bradford and Keighley are working with Cleckheaton-based cosmetic and personal care manufacturer Orean, which creates skin and hair products for national and international beauty brands.
“Roles here include marketing, accounting, logistics, chemistry and of course hands on manufacturing,” said Orean’s company social and responsibility officer Katy Trewartha.
“Our success has been built on the rich history of manufacturing in Yorkshire and a huge part of that is due to our local workforce, a growing number of which are school leavers and apprentices.
“Bradford Manufacturing Weeks is a fantastic way for us to meet the next generation of business leaders and ensure today’s students understand the range of fulfilling careers right here on their doorstep.”
Led by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks runs from October 3 to 14.
It introduces students to a career in manufacturing through work placements, manufacturer tours, work experience, as well as skills events to support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Robert Fairbairn, head of centre at Oastlers’ Keighley site, said: “Thanks to Bradford Manufacturing Weeks we now have connections with a range of manufacturers across the district.
“We’re also entering the Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2022 competition which asks schools to focus on creating something in line with the UN’s sustainability goals. We’re hoping our students’ entry will be so good, it’ll end up in permanent residence at Orean’s factory in Cleckheaton.”
The two-week initiative is delivered in partnership with Bradford-based school and career specialists The Opportunity Centre and is sponsored by Bradford Council, E3 Recruitment, the University of Bradford, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Naylor Wintersgill and LCF Law.
New for 2022 are specialist manufacturing site visits and events for pupils with special educational needs, alongside University of Bradford faculty tours and the popular Women in Manufacturing Q&A event and a mix of virtual and in-person Meet the Manufacturer and Meet the Apprentice panel events.
A Dragon’s Den-style competition themed Tech for Good is also aimed at encouraging students to solve a problem based around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Skills Month involves the coming together of Bradford Manufacturing Weeks and Tech Week, and includes organisations from the health and social care, and culture sectors.
