Destination Chesterfield

Made in Chesterfield is organised by Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership. The Chesterfield College Group sponsors the initiative so that businesses, schools, and training providers can come together to showcase the sector to future school leavers.

Impact and Engagement

Since establishing the initiative, the area’s manufacturing and engineering businesses have hosted more than 3,500 young people from schools. Chesterfield College has also seen an increase in the number of students getting involved in STEM-related subjects.

Support and Collaboration

Direct Education Business Partnership organise the visits to businesses operating within the manufacturing, engineering, property and construction sectors.

The local Council, Derbyshire North Careers Hub, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd and Natwest also support Made in Chesterfield. These businesses were pivotal in establishing the project with Destination Chesterfield.

Following the coronavirus pandemic, we are now back offering in person tours for schools to visit local businesses. Find out more about the businesses offering tours here.

Evolution and Expansion

Initially, the businesses launched Made in Chesterfield in 2014 as a month-long festival that took place every November. In November 2018 the festival became a rolling programme of activity. This was following the ongoing success and was to open the opportunities up to more business and young people.

In 2019, the Derbyshire Business Awards, organised by East Midlands Chamber, recognised the project as a finalist in the Education Business Partnership Category.

Made in Chesterfield is a key strand of activity in the Council’s Skills Plan.

In 2020, responding to the coronavirus outbreak, the steering group suggested the My Future Virtual Careers Platform. The council, in partnership with the North Derbyshire Careers Hub and Destination Chesterfield, developed and launched the platform to maintain support.

In November 2020, they launched the first in a new series of video tours, bringing information, behind-the-scenes tours, and campaign activities to the classroom to provide in-person careers support during the coronavirus outbreak. D2N2 Derbyshire North Careers Hub and the Council supported this activity.

In 2021, Made in Chesterfield became part of the D2N2 Derbyshire North Careers Hub regional Open Doors programme. This program financially supports the organisation of the initiative.