“WOMEN role models speaking to girls has a significant impact on how they feel about the future. I had guidance when making my choices which helped me get to where I am today. Manufacturing offers a fabulous range of careers and I want to inspire others to achieve and to realise the possibilities open to them.”

These are the words of Kate Fisher, Production Manager at Solenis chemical company in Low Moor, who will be among female manufacturing leaders taking questions from an audience of schoolgirls this week. The Women in Manufacturing panel, at Bradford Girls’ Grammar School on Thursday, will be led by Vicky Wainwright, Bradford Chamber of Commerce President and Managing Director of accountancy firm Naylor Wintersgill.

The event - part of Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2021, a fortnight of in-person and online events running until October 15 - is aimed at inspiring pupils by bringing them face to face with female role models from some of the district’s most established blue chip manufacturers. The women, who collectively have 150 years’ manufacturing experience, lead and manage international businesses in chemical, component, aerospace, textile products and metallurgical laboratory sectors.

Led by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks involves students in Q&A panels, work placements, manufacturer tours and life skills events. Since 2018 it has created more than 12,000 manufacturing experiences for young people aged 14-18.

Also taking questions from Thursday’s all-female student audience are Debbie Mellor, MD of Keighley Laboratories, Diana Scholefield, MD of Gesipa, Katy Owen, Supply Chain Manager from Produmax, Fran Salisbury Director of Canvasman, Lou Franklin, MD of Mansfield Pollard and Stacey King, Laboratory Manager at Christeyns UK. Said Fran Salisbury: “I have worked in every aspect of our business from design and sewing through to developing our business plans and strategies. Even though women make up half of the workforce, they still remain highly under-represented in the manufacturing sector, especially at managerial levels.

“Women bring to the sector, not only hardworking attitudes but creativity, critical thinking, efficiency and invention. They are untapped talent, which manufacturing needs to attract in order to remain competitive. My hope is that Bradford Manufacturing Weeks, with the schools and business taking part, can inspire and encourage young women to look at the potential of a fulfilling career in manufacturing.”

More than 30 manufacturers and 45 secondary schools have registered for the two-week initiative, delivered in partnership with Bradford-based school and career specialists The Opportunity Centre and with primary sponsorship from Barclays and additional sponsorship from E3 Recruitment, Naylor Wintersgill, LCF Law and Bradford Council.

Anita Thorpe, Curriculum Leader for Personal Development at Bradford Girls’ Grammar School, said: “An event such as this not only broadens horizons in relation to the variety of rewarding job opportunities available for our students, it also supports our ambition to develop women leaders of the future, providing role models to aspire to and gain confidence from.”

Nick Garthwaite, Chair of the Bradford Manufacturing Weeks steering group and Director of Bradford-based international chemicals and detergents manufacturer Christeyns, said: “Our range of activities, alongside this year’s competition to create an innovative solution for waste recycling in schools and our driver awareness event in partnership with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and West Yorkshire Police, are delivering another educational, inspirational and invaluable careers event.”

“Only 12per cent of women work within engineering and 41per cent within supply chain. These figures highlight that both my field of expertise and sector are male dominated,” says Katy Owen, Supply Chain Manager, Produmax. “Many years ago engineering and manufacturing jobs were seen as grimy, manual labour along with increased hazards and risk - certainly not the case now. There are many opportunities for females within engineering and manufacturing. In the last five years we have dramatically increased the number of women at Produmax as a strategic objective. This includes four females in our apprenticeship programme.”

Lou Frankland, Managing Director, Mansfield Pollard: “Manufacturing and engineering often gets overlooked particularly for girls. I’d really like to get the message out about how interesting and enjoyable this sector can be, and to encourage more diversity through the promotion of this career path to girls.” Visit bradfordmanufacturingweek.co.uk