One of CKMA’s core priorities is to help manufacturers connect with the people, skills and ideas they need for the future.

Through our Make It In Manufacturing work, we are continuing to build stronger links between local employers, schools, colleges, universities and young people who are interested in manufacturing, engineering and technical careers.

Manufacturing across Calderdale and Kirklees offers exciting, varied and rewarding opportunities. However, many young people are still not fully aware of the range of roles available, the progression routes into industry, or the innovative work taking place inside local manufacturing businesses.

At the same time, manufacturers regularly tell us that finding and developing future talent is one of their biggest challenges.

CKMA’s role is to help bridge that gap.

Connecting employers with young people

Make It In Manufacturing is about making those connections practical and visible.

Rather than simply talking about skills shortages, we want to create opportunities for employers and young people to meet, talk and understand each other better.

That means helping businesses:

  • showcase what modern manufacturing really looks like
  • meet young people who are already interested in technical careers
  • build relationships with local education providers
  • identify future apprentices, graduates and employees
  • contribute to a stronger local skills pipeline

It also means helping young people see that manufacturing is not a narrow career path. It includes engineering, digital technology, design, production, maintenance, automation, management, sustainability, logistics and much more.

Upcoming talent events

CKMA is currently supporting two opportunities that demonstrate this approach in action.

Apprenticeship Speed Matching Event at Kirklees College

The Make It In Manufacturing – Apprenticeship Speed Matching Event will take place at Kirklees College on Tuesday 19 May 2026.

This focused event is designed to connect local manufacturing and engineering employers with promising apprenticeship applicants ahead of the next intake.

Employers will have their own table, while students rotate through short scheduled meetings. Each conversation gives businesses the opportunity to introduce themselves, explain the apprenticeships they may offer, and identify young people who could be a good fit.

It is a practical, direct way for employers to meet potential future apprentices and for students to learn more about local manufacturing opportunities.

University of Huddersfield Student Showcase

CKMA is also encouraging members to engage with the School of Computing and Engineering Futures 2026 Student Showcase at the University of Huddersfield on Friday 19 June 2026.

This event gives employers the chance to meet final-year students as they present their work. It has been described as a “reverse career fair”, with students showcasing their projects directly to employers and guests.

For manufacturers, it is an opportunity to meet higher-level technical talent, see the skills being developed locally, and raise their profile with future graduates.

Talent at every level

The two events highlight an important point: manufacturing needs talent at every level.

Some young people will come into the sector through apprenticeships and college routes. Others will enter with higher-level technical, computing, engineering or project skills from university.

Both routes matter.

A young person starting an apprenticeship may already have strong practical and technical potential, even if they are still developing workplace confidence, commercial awareness or management skills. A graduate may bring specialist knowledge and project experience, while still needing exposure to the realities of manufacturing environments.

The strength of the local skills system depends on employers, educators and young people working more closely together.

CKMA wants to help make that happen.

Building a stronger manufacturing network

These events are also examples of the value CKMA brings as a local manufacturing network.

By working with partners such as Kirklees College, the University of Huddersfield and regional stakeholders, CKMA can help members access opportunities that would be harder to identify or influence individually.

Membership gives manufacturers access to events, newsletters, future invitations, information on business support and a network of like-minded businesses committed to strengthening local industry.

For potential members, this is exactly the sort of work CKMA is here to support: practical connections, useful intelligence and a stronger voice for manufacturing across Calderdale and Kirklees.

Get involved

We are keen to hear from manufacturers who want to play a more active role in inspiring and developing future talent.

Whether you are looking for apprentices, graduates, future engineers, production staff, digital skills or simply want to help young people understand what modern manufacturing has to offer, CKMA can help you connect with the right opportunities.

Join CKMA: https://ckma.co.uk/join-us/

Apprenticeship Speed Matching Event:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/make-it-in-manufacturing-apprenticeship-speed-matching-event-tickets-1986877145026?aff=oddtdtcreator

University of Huddersfield Student Showcase:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/school-of-computing-and-engineering-futures-2026-student-showcase-tickets-1983441764711