National Manufacturing Day 2026: Sparks, Robots and a Room Full of Future Talent

National Manufacturing Day is always a highlight of our year, and 2026 was no exception. On Thursday 24 September, we opened our doors in Plymouth to students, young people and adult learners for a behind-the-scenes look at modern manufacturing. It was a day of hands-on challenges, factory tours and career conversations, and seeing how engaged and enthusiastic everyone was made it one of the most rewarding days we’ve had.

Welcoming Our Visitors

This year we welcomed 26 visitors: ten students and their tutor from City College Plymouth, ten students from Discovery College with two of their tutors, and six clients from Jobcentre Plus with two consultants. It was a brilliant mix of people, and every group brought its own energy to the day.

A Packed Programme on the Shop Floor

We wanted everyone to get stuck in, so the day was full of activities. Visitors took on our AR welding challenge, using augmented reality torches to test their skills with plenty of friendly competition and not a spark in sight. They toured our robotic weld cell to see how automation and skilled people work side by side, then worked in teams on our plane building exercise, which tested problem solving, communication and a steady hand.

New for this year, Tiff Kavanagh, Inspiring Futures Partnerships Officer at City College Plymouth, led an interactive workshop using the Caerus Skills Routemap. The tool helps people explore their strengths and interests and link them to real career opportunities, and it was a great addition to the day.

Opening Eyes to a Career in Manufacturing

For our Managing Director, Karen Friendship, the standout moment came from the Discovery College group.

“Discovery College was a real highlight for me. The students were studying tourism and hospitality, and between the activities and the careers workshop, we opened their eyes to the possibility of a career in manufacturing. They left buzzing.”

That’s exactly why we do this. Plenty of young people never think of manufacturing as an option, and a single day on the shop floor can change that.

Plymouth is a brilliant place to start a career in engineering and manufacturing. The city is home to the largest cluster of engineering and manufacturing employment in the South of England, with some fantastic companies right on the doorstep. Through the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG), we work alongside other local manufacturers to show young people the opportunities available right here in Plymouth.

If you’re a young person thinking about your future, or a parent, teacher or careers adviser, come along to the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Early Careers Fair on Saturday 30 January 2027 at Plymouth Argyle. It’s a great chance to meet local employers, including us, and find out where a career in manufacturing could take you.

A Visit from Rebecca Smith MP

The morning after the event, we were delighted to welcome back our local MP and Shadow Education Minister, Rebecca Smith MP. Rebecca caught up with Karen and the team and toured the shop floor, including our Amada press brakes in action.

Afterwards, she shared her thoughts on LinkedIn:

“Aldermans has been part of Plymouth’s manufacturing story for more than 50 years, and once again opened its doors for National Manufacturing Day to give young people a chance to see what a career in engineering and manufacturing could look like.”

Thank you, Rebecca, for your continued support of manufacturing in Plymouth.

What Our Visitors Said

Every visitor completed an evaluation form at the end of the day, and the results speak for themselves. All 26 participants (100%) said they had gained new skills or knowledge, and 96% said they would like to take part in similar activities in the future. Tiff Kavanagh summed it up perfectly:

“It was a really valuable day all round and I have personally gained an incredible insight into the sector, so thank you again. A truly wonderful collaboration between education and industry, which I look forward to again next year.”

Vanessa from Jobcentre Plus was just as pleased with how the day went:

“Thank you so much for hosting us last week, what a great interactive session it was. It was great to see all the candidates so engaged. We were so appreciative of everything Aldermans did for us on Thursday, and we look forward to working with you in the future.”

Thank You to Our Suppliers

Every visitor went home with a goody bag full of pads, pens, rulers, bags, hats, keyrings and more, thanks to the generosity of our suppliers. Our Senior Buyer, Natasha Smith, pulled it all together, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to:

• Smiths Advanced Metals
• JWS Industrial & Welding Supplies Ltd
• John Tainton (a division of Hall & Pickles 1812 Ltd)
• Righton Blackburns Limited
• Trucut Tools
• SPM Steel Processing Midlands Ltd
• Austen Knapman

See You Next Year

We’re already looking forward to National Manufacturing Day 2027. If your school, college or organisation would like to visit Alderman Tooling, do send us an expression of interest and we can contact you in advance of next year’s event.