The Made in Chesterfield Festival returns this autumn, running from 25 September to October, offering local students hands-on experiences in the manufacturing and property sectors. The festival, organised by Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership, partners with Chesterfield College to link businesses with future talent.
This initiative aims to help schools meet updated career education requirements and connect students with local career opportunities. The festival introduces a new Innovation Challenge programme, which pairs schools with local employers to solve real-world business problems. Students will visit workplaces, collaborate in teams, and present solutions, gaining practical insight into the relevance of classroom learning to future careers.
The festival, which has engaged over 3,500 students since its 2014 launch, challenges outdated perceptions of careers in manufacturing and property. It strengthens collaboration between education and industry, ensuring local businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need. Local businesses supporting the festival include United Cast Bar Ltd, MSE Hiller, and Penny Hydraulics, among others.
Chesterfield College, the festival’s headline sponsor, is committed to connecting students with industry to equip them with the skills needed for success in local careers.
