New West Midlands Festival offers manufacturers direct access to future talent

The West Midlands Manufacturing Festival (WMMF) will debut on 26 February 2026, at the National Metalforming Centre in West Bromwich, giving manufacturers a unique opportunity to connect directly with the next generation of talent.

Designed in partnership with local schools, the one-day festival will bring manufacturers together with local Year 9 students to showcase the innovation, creativity and career opportunities within modern manufacturing.

Manufacturers from the Midlands and surrounding areas are invited along to raise awareness of their company, culture and team. As exhibitors, they will have the chance to meet with potential future apprentices and employees, and demonstrate live technologies or products to an engaged student audience to spark interest in modern manufacturing careers. In doing so, they can start developing their own pipeline of fresh talent to support future growth and succession planning.

"The Midlands has long been a powerhouse of UK manufacturing, but that future is at risk if we don’t act now to engage the next generation," said Angela Lawlor, founder of UK Manufacturing Festivals (UKMF).

"With a widening skills gap and manufacturers across the UK struggling to access and retain new talent, it's never been more important to show young people the exciting and rewarding career paths that manufacturing can offer. By joining our festival, manufacturers can connect directly with local students who could become their future workforce."

Exhibitor slots are still available for manufacturers wanting to attend, starting at just £320. Exhibitors are encouraged to book before 30 November to secure their place.

For more information, please visit https://www.ukmanufacturingfestivals.co.uk/, or email [email protected]