MACH26 collaboration with charity, champions opportunities for the Armed Forces community within UK’s thriving manufacturing sector
Mission Community, the industry advocacy arm of Service charity Mission Motorsport, has today launched at MACH26 ‘Mission Manufacturing’ a collaborative campaign, delivered alongside the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA). This is possible thanks to the partnership with the Ministry of Defence’s Office for Veterans Affairs, as part of the wider Veterans Industry Engagement Programme funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. This move is set to equip the Armed Forces community with the most up-to-date information and guidance about the sector, including revealing the co-authored Manufacturing Industry Guide for the Armed Forces community for the very first time to an industry audience.
MACH26 provides a platform for the Armed Forces community within the heart of UK manufacturing, advocating for Service Leavers, Reservists, Veterans, Cadets and their families. It is a moment to celebrate them as a national economic asset, brought together via the power of community and the creation of ‘Mission Manufacturing’. Its aim is to inspire and advocate those from the Armed Forces to make the move into manufacturing that much easier. A relationship where everyone wins, and where Mission Community’s Founder, James Cameron, will make that case to a captive industry audience on the stage in a seminar today.
James Cameron, Founder of Mission Community, said,
“The release of the ‘Mission Manufacturing’ guide is another milestone in the Veteran’s Industry Engagement Programme which Mission Community deliver on behalf of the Office of Veteran’s Affairs. By creating these pathways we are helping employers to adopt veteran-friendly practices which, in turn, enable organisations to benefit from the talents and expertise of individuals they would otherwise struggle to connect with.”
James Selka, CEO, The Manufacturing Technologies Association, added,
“The MTA is committed to uplifting the Armed Forces Community in our industry and dismantling the roadblocks that can prevent veterans from flourishing in the civilian workplace despite their experience and unmatched transferable skills. We are proud of our ongoing work with Mission Community which has enabled our organisation to advocate for the wider Armed Forces Community responsibly and far more effectively and given us the tools to start other members of the manufacturing industry on the same path.
Our industry continues to endure a shortage of skills and Mission Manufacturing is an excellent win-win way to help address this.”
This moment forms part of Mission Community led, industry initiatives that has its roots firmly in the show, given MTA’s hosting of the charity for the first time at MACH24. Since then, Mission Community and the MTA have been building greater alignment between industry and national Defence priorities, culminating in this guide that is presented to exhibit attendees for the first time today. This follows up from the National Transition Event at Silverstone in March, where the MTA presented the guide to its primary audience, the Armed Forces community, at the largest annual gathering of forces job seekers in the UK.
This campaign highlights how those from an Armed Forces background have perfect alignment with manufacturing - discipline, leadership, adaptability, problem-solving including also many other technical skills learnt in service - matching industry needs. This is a prime example of how both industry and the 3rdsector can combine at such events for the greater good of the economy and those who have served our nation.
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Notes to Editors
About Mission Motorsport and Mission Community:
A Service Charity and a member of the Confederation of Service Charities, Mission Motorsport – The Forces’ Motorsport Charity, has been supporting the community for 14 years. Mission Community is the advocacy arm of Mission Motorsport- Recognising, demonstrating and celebrating the Armed Forces community in UK society- and is part of a concerted effort by the third sector, government and veterans themselves to change the narrative around veterans and the wider Armed Forces community. We have a shared belief that service is recognised, valued and underpins UK society.
Our starting point was to begin this vital work within business, through our ‘sector initiatives’; Armed Forces engagement campaigns linked to a UK industry body or trade association. The UK government has recognised our model for change, endorsing through the creation of the Veterans Industry Engagement Programme, delivered by us on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Our sector initiative campaigns promote and share best practice, harness exemplars and help companies to access and retain talent, changing behaviours in the workplace, whilst empowering industry. They make the commercial and social value case for Armed Forces community engagement and use the industry bodies as champions for that cause. They reinforce and connect government and third sector support, promoting and rewarding collaboration. In this way, sustainable and relevant employment opportunities for Service Leavers, Veterans, Reservists, and their families are generated, and an enduring Armed Forces’ ‘community of communities’ is created within industry. For more info https://www.missioncommunity.org/
About MACH26
Taking place from 20-24 April 2026, MACH connects the world of manufacturing technologies and is the destination of choice for companies looking to adopt and invest in the digital revolution. MACH is a fantastic event for both exhibitors and visitors. Showcasing live, digital production systems in one space, under one roof, hundreds of millions of pounds worth of business is discussed, secured and completed at the event.
Attracting 26,000 attendees and in excess of 600 exhibitors, MACH is the platform to connect UK manufacturing engineers, decision makers, buyers and specifiers with suppliers of new technology, equipment, services and processes.
MACH is owned and organised by The Manufacturing Technologies Association, the voice for the manufacturing technologies industry, committed to driving innovation, creating value and helping UK manufacturing to thrive.
The Manufacturing Industry Guide can be downloaded here: https://www.missioncommunity.org/manufacturingguide
The guide has been produced by Mission Community and The MTA in collaboration with trade bodies and industry partners from within the manufacturing and advanced engineering industries. It provides advice to the serving military community and veterans, including spouses/partners, who would like to know more about the wide range of careers and roles that are available in this sector. Mission Community is a brand of a service charity set up in 2012 to offer support to service leavers looking for careers in industry, as well as guidance to employers to help them connect with the Armed Forces Community. The organisation seeks to recognise and celebrate the Armed Forces and to foster connections and cooperation with other communities in UK society through its sector initiatives. These are multi-faceted campaigns which encourage engagement with industry through the sharing of best practice, networking events and advocacy.
For further information contact: Jonny Balljb@missioncommunity.org07887 600326