Over 100 students from five schools got an exciting behind-the-scenes look at Chesterfield’s leading manufacturers as part of the first large-scale National Manufacturing Day event in Derbyshire.
Organised as part of the Made in Chesterfield Festival with support from the Work-wise Foundation, Destination Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Council, the event coincided with Make UK’s nationwide open house on 25 September, when manufacturers across the UK opened their doors to students, communities and the public.
Pupils from The Bolsover School, Tupton Hall, Parkside Community School, Springwell Community College and Early Life Enterprise visited United Cast Bar, CBE+, Heraeus Electro-Nite (UK) Ltd, Penny Engineering and Weightron Bilanciai Ltd.
The day included factory tours, hands-on workshops, and an Innovation Challenge in the morning, with students presenting their ideas at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in the afternoon. Participants discovered a variety of manufacturing processes, as well as insights into engineering, design, and project management.
Event organiser, David Beet from United Cast Bar Ltd, said: “National Manufacturing Day is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the creativity and innovation happening right here in Chesterfield and Derbyshire. It’s inspiring to see young people so engaged and excited about the career possibilities in manufacturing.”
Nick Catt, Managing Director at Weightron Bilanciai Ltd and board member for Destination Chesterfield, added, “Here in Chesterfield, we’re proud to be part of a community that not only makes world-class products but also invests in the next generation of talent. Events like the Innovation Challenge for National Manufacturing Day demonstrate to young people that manufacturing isn’t just about machines, but also about ideas and collaboration. It was fantastic to see so many schools taking part and businesses opening their doors and minds to inspire tomorrow’s engineers and creators. What a great way to launch this year’s Made in Chesterfield Festival.”
National Manufacturing Day celebrates the diversity of UK manufacturing and helps strengthen connections between education and industry, supporting the development of the skilled workforce needed for the future.
Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “National Manufacturing Day is a fantastic opportunity for local young people to learn more about industries right here in Chesterfield.
“Initiatives like Made in Chesterfield provide us with the opportunity to work in partnership with businesses and the community sector so we can help local people develop the skills to progress in their careers or access new opportunities as they become available.
“Chesterfield Borough Council prides itself on the relationships that have been formed between schools and businesses, allowing students to find out more about the options open to them in the workplace.”
North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Cllr Jayne Barry, said, “This is a great opportunity for our next generation of innovators to get hands-on with employers, opening new doors and insights into the world of work.
“As a council, we are passionate about helping our local economy grow and provide real chances of high-skilled employment for our communities, and this festival does just that.”
The Made in Chesterfield Festival runs until the end of October, providing young people with the opportunity to learn more about manufacturing and engineering careers in Chesterfield.
Made is organised by Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership in association with Chesterfield College and supported by Chesterfield Borough Council, the EMCCA Career Hub, United Cast Bar Ltd and MSE Hiller.
