Make It In Manufacturing – Young Talent Speed Matching Event

CKMA, in partnership with Kirklees College, is delighted to invite members to participate in our Apprenticeship Speed Matching Event, delivered as part of the Make It In Manufacturing campaign.

This event provides manufacturing employers with a structured, efficient way to meet pre-vetted students from Kirklees College who are preparing to take their first steps into the sector. The event will also allow employers to identify and engage early with strong candidates ahead of the next apprenticeship intake.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve currently got live vacancies or not – the event is about finding out who’s out there for you. Make contacts, keep in touch: identify your local workforce candidates for now and the near future!

How the Event Works

Each employer will be allocated their own table. Students will rotate between employers on an organised schedule, with each meeting lasting 6–8 minutes. This format allows employers to:

• Introduce their business

• Outline upcoming apprenticeship opportunities

• Identify promising candidates for the next intake

After the scheduled rotations, attendees will be invited to join an open networking session, offering further time to reconnect with students who stood out.

Information Required from Employers

To help Kirklees College coordinate the most suitable students, employers will be asked to confirm:

• The apprenticeship roles they intend to offer

• The number of apprentices they hope to recruit

This information supports the college in planning an effective rotation schedule.

Why Attend?

Taking part gives employers the chance to:

• Meet motivated students interested in manufacturing careers

• Build early relationships with potential apprentices

• Learn more about Kirklees College’s apprenticeship provision

• Support the development of local skills and talent within the sector

Important

Employer places are limited, so we strongly encourage early registration. Prior to the event we will prepare a detailed information pack for employers who register, which will include guidance on the format of the rotations, timings for the morning, and any preparation that may be helpful.

We look forward to welcoming you and supporting your apprentice recruitment for the year ahead.