Member Article

Former apprentice turned Operations Director calls for more young people to look at

As manufacturing companies across Leeds open their doors and invite people to find out more about the thriving industry, a former apprentice turned Operations Director at Brandon Medical is calling on young people to consider careers in the industry.

Mike Rimmer, Operations Director at Brandon Medical, is proud that his company is taking part in October’s Leeds Manufacturing Festival as he believes that the industry needs young people to pick up the next state of the art developments in manufacturing techniques.

“We’ll be opening our doors to schools and young people in October in a bid to get the message out there that manufacturing has changed. It is a very clean, tidy, tech driven industry and we are crying out for young people to come and start their careers with us.

“I started out my working life as an apprentice and really understand that value that such an opportunity brings. People can try out working in all areas of the business from manufacturing to finance and get a great grounding to help them progress their careers.

“Leeds is home to the biggest manufacturing centre outside of London and Birmingham and it is a fabulous place to get a job in the industry.”

Leeds is the third largest manufacturing centre in the country by local authority area with around 1800 SME manufacturers. There are plenty of opportunities for young people to form great careers in this sector.

The Leeds Manufacturing Alliance, who are running the event, know that not all of these companies are involved at the moment, and are urging more to come forward and help to inspire the next generation.

“There are a plethora of opportunities for young people to get into manufacturing and most manufacturers’ are proactively looking to get young people engaged and informed about the roles available in this industry. We’re looking for people fresh out of school, UTCs, colleges and university to come and start their career in Leeds in manufacturing.

“I’m the proof of the pudding, I started as an apprentice and now I’m an operations director, taking on an apprenticeship can lead to great things,” added Mike.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Charlotte Dimond .