Engagement Team in Action: Skills, talent, and insight from the North

Written by Mandeep Sandhu (Sector Engagement Lead)

It’s been another busy and rewarding month for me as part of Enginuity’s Engagement Team, working across the Northwest, Yorkshire & the Humber. I’ve been connecting with employers, supporting talent development, and gathering valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Recognising future talent at Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards

A real highlight for me was joining the judging panel for the 2026 Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards. The quality of nominations this year was incredibly high.

I’m especially proud that Enginuity sponsors the Apprentice of the Year category. It’s a fantastic opportunity to recognise the future talent coming into manufacturing and engineering, and to celebrate the next generation of skilled professionals.

Industry conversations at CHEMUK

I also attended CHEMUK this month, which was another standout moment. It was great to have so many valuable conversations with industry professionals about innovation, workforce challenges and the changing skills our sector needs.

Events like this are so important for staying connected to what employers are experiencing on the ground.

Strengthening leadership through Lead to Succeed

Supporting leadership development in SMEs continues to be a key focus of my work. This month, I was pleased to welcome the latest cohort onto the Lead to Succeed programme.

This programme, largely funded by Enginuity, helps managers build the skills and confidence they need to lead effectively and drive performance. It’s always encouraging to see businesses continuing to invest in their people.

Preparing for the next SME Snapshot Survey

Looking ahead, I’m getting ready for the next SME Snapshot Survey, taking place from 22–24 June.

The previous survey saw fantastic engagement, with:

• Over 250 SME responses
• More than 10,000 employees represented
• A combined £1.91 billion in revenue.

It’s a brilliant example of industry coming together to share real insight, helping us better understand business priorities and shape future support.

Continuing to support the sector

I’m looking forward to continuing these conversations and supporting employers across the region, helping to strengthen skills and collaboration across manufacturing and engineering.