Derbyshire Makes: Advanced Manufacturing Sector Conference

The Derbyshire Makes: Advanced Manufacturing Sector Conference brought together businesses, educators and young people to explore growth and resilience across Derbyshire’s manufacturing sector.

Delivered in partnership with Derbyshire County Council and the University of Derby, the conference created space for conversations around supply chain opportunities, innovation and the role of apprenticeships in building a skilled and sustainable workforce. Alongside this, it offered valuable opportunities for connection across industry, education and the wider sector

A key strength of the day was the opportunity to bring together voices from across industry, education and the wider sector – creating space not just to share insight, but to build relationships and explore future collaboration.

These connections are central to Derbyshire Makes, helping to bridge gaps between sectors and support a more joined-up approach to skills, creativity and industry development.

A key moment in the day was hearing directly from students involved in the STEAM into ACTION pilot project. Their contributions brought a grounded, real-world perspective, demonstrating how creative thinking and problem-solving are being developed through hands-on collaboration with artists and manufacturers.

Delivered between January and March 2026 across five Derbyshire schools, the pilot connected young people with industry and creative practitioners through practical design challenges. Sharing this work within a business-focused setting marked an important step in linking education with industry, and in opening up conversations about future pathways into creative and technical careers.