Aspiring young engineers and apprentices will have the opportunity to learn from their peers and explore topics ranging from artificial intelligence to how they can help solve ecological concerns, at a one-day festival being organised by Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation.

The Makers Meet in Birmingham will feature high-profile speakers who are making an impact in the world of manufacturing and STEM, as well as a range of “immersive, informative and aspiring” activities, networking opportunities and creative ideas sessions.

The event is aimed at STEM undergraduates, postgraduates and apprentices between the ages of 16 and 24.

Speakers include the ‘Instagram sensation’ and engineer Authentically Ella, and Shini Somara; both will talk about how women have a big role to play in engineering and manufacturing and how the secrets behind pioneering technology and innovation can be demystified.

They will be joined by John Hart from the Centre for Sports Engineering and Research, a representative from Hybrid Air Vehicles, and Franki Johnson who will advise on how Generation Z people (those born between 1995 and 2010) can use their digital skills in the workplace.

Other speakers include Vanessa Sanyauke, named by the London Business School as “one of 30 people changing the world”, and Ozak Esu, an award-winning engineer specialising in strategies to address the challenges faced by the Internet of Things.

The festival will feature five ‘conceptual’ zones: the Makers’ main stage featuring speakers throughout the day; the Tech Zone featuring a range of displays of manufacturing products and the stories behind their development; the Great Idea Garden, for mentoring and networking advice; the Culture Runway, which will highlight the critical role manufacturing and engineering plays “in wider culture” such as fashion and sports branding; and the Create Change Circle, which will look at how sustainability and the environment link to manufacturing.

The Makers Meet will be held at the Custard Factory in Digbeth (Birmingham) on Saturday 20 July.

Further information and registration details can be found at the Web site (www.the-makers-meet.eventbrite.com).