Skills Roundtable: Building Talent for the Defence Sector
Focused on Defence – State-of-the-Art Artillery Manufacturing, hosted by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
06/02/2026, 9:30-11:30
South Yorkshire is home to a growing cluster of defence and high-value engineering firms at the forefront of artillery manufacturing, precision components, systems integration and advanced materials. As the sector expands, employers consistently report challenges including:
- shortages of specialist engineers, machinists, and systems technicians
- demand for security-aware and security-cleared talent
- competition for high-integrity quality, testing and compliance roles
- underutilised potential of service leavers transitioning to civilian employment
- the need for stronger leadership, digital manufacturing, and mission-critical capability development
Over the next six months, we are developing the next Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for South Yorkshire. This phase is focused on delivery, collaboration and co-design, ensuring employer insight directly shapes future skills and workforce solutions.
To support this work, we are convening Workforce Development Partnerships across the Mayor’s priority growth sectors. This roundtable will bring together defence manufacturers, engineering employers, and relevant partners to:
- Identify priority workforce challenges
Help define the roles, capabilities and security requirements essential for maintaining competitive advantage in modern defence manufacturing.
- Co-design practical workforce and recruitment solutions
Shape future provision around precision engineering skills, secure operations, digital and automated manufacturing, leadership and compliance training, and pathways for veterans and service leavers.
- Influence how investment and support are directed
Guide where resources, government pilots and regional funding flow, ensuring they directly address employer needs and strengthen the defence talent pipeline.
This session is a key opportunity to turn employer feedback into clear action—building a more agile, industry-led workforce system that supports productivity, innovation and future defence capability.
