National Manufacturing Day

Every year, WYMS hosts one of the region's largest National Manufacturing Day events at our Brighouse facility, bringing together manufacturers, educators and young people to celebrate the opportunities available across modern manufacturing and engineering. As part of the national initiative led by Make UK, the event aims to inspire the next generation by providing secondary school students with direct access to employers, industry professionals and cutting-edge technologies. Through hands-on activities, live demonstrations and meaningful conversations, students gain a real-world understanding of the exciting careers that exist within the sector. In 2026, National Manufacturing Day at WYMS welcomed more than 600 students, supported by over 50 organisations and more than 100 industry professionals from across the manufacturing and engineering community

2026 Gallery

Some moments from #NMD2026
Industry 4.0 Digital Hub Robotic Arm Demonstration 3M Buckley Innovation Centre 3M Buckley Innovation Centre Additive-X Adelphi Masterfil A-SAFE Bespoke Stairlifts Calrec Colchester Machine Tool Solutions Crompton Controls The Dalesman Group Dauch Dust Control Environmental (DCE) E3 Recruitment Electroparts Hako Quick Change Challenge HRS Precision Components KOSO Kentintrol Lean Control Innovations Matrix TSL MPM Group Projex Solutions SoluClean & SoluPak STEM Racing Teconnex ValvePro Cyber Blue Line / West Yorkshire Police Widd The Engineering Centre (TEC) Calderdale College's Engineering Provision

National Manufacturing Day 2026: Inspiring the Future Workforce

On 24th September 2026, National Manufacturing Day 2026 delivered a highly successful student engagement event, bringing together schools and industry to showcase the breadth, diversity and opportunity within modern manufacturing.

Throughout the day, students participated in interactive exhibits, practical challenges and live demonstrations designed to challenge perceptions and highlight the skills, technologies and career opportunities available across the sector. The strong participation from manufacturers and supporting organisations ensured that young people were able to speak directly with professionals about apprenticeships, training routes and future career aspirations.

Event Highlights

  • 600+ students attended
  • 50+ organisations participated
  • 100+ manufacturing and engineering professionals engaged with students
  • Extensive hands-on activities and live demonstrations
  • Strong participation from schools across the region
  • Positive feedback from teachers, exhibitors and attendees
  • Excellent levels of student engagement throughout the event

National Manufacturing Day 2026 successfully achieved its primary objective of increasing awareness of manufacturing careers and helping young people understand the vital role the sector plays in driving innovation, economic growth and community prosperity.

As a charity built by manufacturers, for manufacturers, WYMS remains committed to strengthening the future workforce by bringing education and industry together, inspiring young people and supporting the long-term success of manufacturing and engineering across West Yorkshire and beyond.

2025 Gallery

A glimpse of #NMD2025
Terberg DTS Lego challenge View STEM Racing View University of Bradford - Spot the RoboDog View 3M Buckley Innovation Centre View A Fawcett Precision Engineering View Aqualand Industries View AW Hainsworths View Thomas Broadbent and Sons View Byworth Boilers View Calrec Audio and Josh Fenton-Glynn, MP for Calder Valley View Cengar View The Red Zone - Manufacturers' Showcase View Colchester Machine Tool Solutions View Crompton Controls View E3 Recruitment View Electra Commercial Vehicles View Electroparts View The Green Zone - Vehicle Showcase View Hako - Quick-Change Challenge View The Blue Zone - The Industry 4.0 Hub View Imageco Visual Imaging View Koso Kent Introl View Lean Control Innovations View Matrix TSL View MPM View OE Electrics View RTC North - STEM Hub View Solupak View Spenborough Engineering - Tipper View TaeguTec View The Textile Centre of Excellnce View The Yellow Zone - The Engineering Centre View Winder Power View Team WYMS View
S Wilson, Beckfoot School
The whole thing was amazing from start to finish. Our students had some great conversations with employers and trainers, who were so welcoming and made our students feel confident to ask questions. Organisation and communication across the morning (and in the run up) were brilliant and staff couldn't have been more helpful during the event.
N Jackson, Corrocoat
Our first time at this event and it was great to see the enthusiasm from the WYMS team and other exhibitors. The children we spoke to were very polite and engaged, I'm sure some will go on to have very bright futures in engineering!
A Ripper, Bruntcliffe Academy
The event was amazing! The students loved it. Will be excited to see what next year brings.
J Jaques
We thoroughly enjoyed the event, hopefully the students got an insight into various Manufacturing sectors and what is available to them in the future.