Businesses across the UK celebrate National Manufacturing Day 2025

Hundreds of companies across the UK opened up their facilities to their local communities as part of National Manufacturing Day on Thursday, 25 September – with the celebrations coming to a close on Downing Street.

The day’s events gave more than a thousand school and college students, plus people looking for a career change, the chance to see first-hand the potential roles on offer in this exciting and diverse sector. 

National Manufacturing Day 2025 offered something for all age groups, from younger students making subject choices to school leavers and more experienced workers looking at the possibilities of reskilling for a career in manufacturing. 

The annual, national day of celebration, now in its fourth year, gave visitors the chance to take part in a variety of hands-on practical sessions, speak to apprentices, current employees and managers while gaining an understanding of advanced manufacturing at its cutting-edge. 

It was also an opportunity for firms to highlight that current roles in manufacturing aren’t just limited to the factory floor, with opportunities available in marketing, logistics, design, research and development, as well as production. 

Manufacturing covers a wide range of sectors including aerospace, engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical, food and drink, defence, automotive and renewable technologies. And delivers some of the highest paid employment opportunities available, with training available at every level of the career path.

To mark National Manufacturing Day 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves hosted a Downing Street reception inviting 75 leading UK manufacturers into Number 11 for a celebration of their crucial role in driving the country’s economic growth.

The day also saw the launch of Make UK’s brand-new Future Makers Group, which seeks to put the voices of young manufacturers at the heart of the debate on future skills and recruitment in the sector. Several members of the group were invited to attend the reception (pictured with the Chancellor below).

On National Manufacturing Day, Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson CBE said:

“National Manufacturing Day is growing every year and is where the diverse sector comes together to celebrate British innovation and showcase the careers on offer to people of all ages across the whole of the country.

“Our companies are at the forefront of technology development and global design, and we hope this fourth National Manufacturing Day will encourage people who have never thought of manufacturing as their future to come along to see what it is really like. This is a highly paid sector with good jobs which offer something for everyone. I started my career as an apprentice engineer, and it is a decision I have not regretted for a single day.”

The Chancellor, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, said:

“Our advanced manufacturing companies are world-leading, keeping Britain ahead of the curve in AI, engineering, and defence. They hold the key to economic growth, creating jobs and boosting living standards across the country.

 “We’re supporting the sector through our 10 year modern Industrial Strategy - promoting business investment and making it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK.”

Minister for Industry, Rt Hon Chris McDonald MP, said:

“As a former steelworker, I share the pride in making things that defines our manufacturing communities. Manufacturing offers high skilled jobs, pays higher wages, accounts for the majority of innovation spend and punches above its weight in exports.

“This government believes in British manufacturing and our Plan for Change includes our Modern Industrial Strategy, with manufacturing at its heart. I’d like to thank our manufacturing industry and workers for their contribution to the UK economy as we mark National Manufacturing Day.”