Forging a Powerful Future: How DWP and the Jobcentre helped Make UK Bring National Manufacturing Day 2025 to Life
- Make UK
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
What if a visit to your local Jobcentre could change the way you see the future?
That’s exactly what happened this September, as the Department for Work and Pensions Strategic Relationship Team (SRT), in partnership with Make UK and amazing NMD Ambassadors across the Jobcentre Network led a nationwide campaign to celebrate National Manufacturing Day (NMD) 2025.
But this wasn’t just a day — it was a carefully structured four-week journey of discovery, innovation, and inspiration that transformed perceptions and opened doors to new careers.
Week 1: Rethinking the Industry
We began with a bold question: “What does manufacturing look like today?”
Gone are the days of greasy overalls and conveyor belts. Through the powerful video “Forging a Powerful Future,” we showcased a sector driven by technology, robotics, and smart systems. This cinematic introduction sparked curiosity and challenged outdated views, setting the stage for a campaign that would reshape futures.
Week 2: Your Route Into Manufacturing
Next, we made it personal.
With the theme “Your Route into Manufacturing,” we helped jobseekers see how their existing skills — from retail to logistics — were already in demand. Regional fact cards, training pathways, and real-life success stories made the message clear: there are opportunities for you in this industry.
Week 3: Smart Factories & Future Skills
This was the week where imagination met innovation.
We brought the future to life with virtual reality experiences, hands-on challenges, and the engaging MAKE UK activities. Jobseekers didn’t just hear about the future of work — they experienced it. Confidence soared as colleagues and jobseekers explored the cutting edge of modern manufacturing.
Week 4: Step Into Manufacturing
The grand finale.
Factory tours, job matching, and employer engagement turned inspiration into action. New employers joined our network, and Jobcentres became vibrant hubs of opportunity. An interactive national map highlighted the scale of our impact — this wasn’t just a campaign, it was a movement !!
Celebrating Success Across the UK
From the East Midlands to South Wales, every region brought NMD to life in its own unique way:
Northamptonshire & Lincolnshire: A tailored Weetabix Mentoring Circle led to job offers and boosted confidence.
East Midlands: From Spaghetti & Marshmallow team-building to myth-busting sessions and factory visits, creativity and collaboration were on full display.
South Midlands: Door-to-door employer outreach, mentoring circles, and live sessions with McGinley brought real jobs to real people.
South Yorkshire: Over 350 jobseekers and 20+ employers connected at the Cavendish Jobs Fair, with Radius Aerospace offering roles on the spot.
West Yorkshire: A 50+ Jobs Fair shattered age myths, while partnerships with GXO and Sports Shoe opened new doors.
Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire & Rutland: 11 vacancies filled at Bespoke Foods, with a strong focus on female representation in the sector.
North East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire: SWAPs, factory tours, and 400+ roles promoted at Schneider Electric — a powerhouse of opportunity.
South East Wales: Partnering with Newport Galvanizers, the team connected jobseekers with real vacancies and sector insights.
Call to Action: Let’s Keep the Momentum Going
National Manufacturing Day 2025 was just the beginning. The plan to increase investment and growth in Advanced Manufacturing, is part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
✅ Employers — Encourage them to keep opening their doors. Host tours, offer mentoring, work experience and share their vacancies. Their next great hire could be just one conversation away.
✅ Jobcentre Teams — Keep the energy alive. Use the toolkits, share the stories, and continue to challenge perceptions. Every interaction is a chance to inspire.
✅ Jobseekers — Keep exploring. The manufacturing sector is evolving fast — and it needs their skills, their ideas, and their ambition.
✅ Partners & Stakeholders — Let’s build on this success. Collaborate with us to create even more opportunities, events, and pathways into this vital sector.
✅ NMD Ambassadors – consider retaining but changing the role to Manufacturing Lead. As Advanced Manufacturing plans progress Manufacturing Leads would be ideally placed as we continue to build knowledge of the sector including its opportunities as well as its challenges
Finally ... take a look at our NMD Storybook for more stories and photos of the incredible nationwide NMD 2025 Campaign