Next Gen Makers announces national Engineering Skills Conference

by | Aug 13, 2024 | Good news

Next Gen Makers has announced a national Engineering Skills Conference, to be held on 30th October 2024 in Birmingham.

The event marks a first for the membership organisation, expanding a successful regional event format initially piloted in late 2023, by opening up the opportunity for delegates from across the country.

The half day Engineering Skills Conference will be held at a central location in Birmingham, specifically at BMet Matthew Boulton College between 9am and 1pm.

This will see early careers insight and best practice sharing as well as networking for around 150 delegates.

In late 2023, over 120 delegates attended the first (regional) pilot iteration of the Next Gen Makers Engineering Skills Conference – West Midlands, and the positive feedback from delegates inspired Next Gen Makers to further scale the model and open it up to a wider audience.

This year’s event remains free to attend, and in addition to facilitating networking between those with apprenticeship and early careers responsibilities in UK engineering & manufacturing, will feature a range of keynote speakers and panel discussions including:

  • Metal health & wellbeing in young people, presented by Kaleidoscope
  • Apprentice Panel Discussion – Understanding Gen Z and Gen Alpha
  • Make UK presents: UK Manufacturing Outlook
  • Panel Discussion: 4 Early Career Strategies any business could benefit from
  • WISE presents: Where and How to find more diverse talent

Next Gen Makers Managing Director Adam Tipper comments: “After last year’s successful pilot, widening the scope of the Engineering Skills Conference made total sense, as our focus as a membership organisation is national.

“Members and non-members alike from across the country will be able to take advantage of what will be an insightful, inspiring half day of best practice sharing, insight and networking, and we look forward to welcoming everyone on the 30th October 2024”.

Next Gen Makers recognises the best employers in the UK for engineering apprenticeships with the Engineering Apprenticeships: Employer Accreditation – and helps any company to get there.

A community led initiative, member companies engage in benchmarking and best practice sharing to run successful apprenticeship schemes which better attract and retain young talent, whilst working towards getting recognised as exemplar employers via an Employer Accreditation backed by strategic partners and national manufacturing organisation Make UK.

The Next Gen Makers Engineering Apprenticeships: Excellent Employer careers platform showcases member companies to a minimum of x5 schools per company, increasing employer brand awareness and the signposting of aspiring engineers to their opportunities, whilst helping to inform and inspire the next generation.

Tickets for the Engineering Skills Conference 2024 are available via Eventbrite via this link.