Our Week At The MACH Exhibition
Last week, the OTMA team packed up the stand, the brochures, and what felt like an endless supply of branded love hearts (we may still be eating those well into next quarter), and headed to the NEC in Birmingham for the MACH Exhibition.
Representing OTMA across the week was our Director Richard, Partnerships Manager Mick, Lauren our Enrolment and Compliance Team Leader, Julie Carrigan our Head of Performance, and Sheryl Nixon our Head of Compliance and MIS.
Between us, we covered our stand, explored the exhibition, and most importantly, had hundreds of conversations with some brilliant people from across the manufacturing and engineering space.
The Conversations That Stood Out at the MACH Exhibition
One of the biggest highlights of the week was the range of organisations we spoke to. From globally recognised names like Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Niftylift, to growing businesses and individuals exploring their next step, the appetite for skills, development, and improvement was clear.
But beyond the big names, it was the unexpected conversations that really stuck with us.
Throughout the week, we had a surprising number of students, and parents of school-aged children, come over to the stand asking about job placements and entry-level opportunities. At first, this might not seem unusual at an event like MACH. But what it highlighted was something deeper.
The Apprenticeship Misconception
There’s still a strong perception that apprenticeships are only for school leavers. That they’re just a way to “get your foot in the door” and nothing more.
And that’s simply not the case.
What we realised, through conversation after conversation, is that many people still don’t know that apprenticeships have evolved. They’re not just entry-level. They’re not just for teenagers starting out. They’re a powerful tool for developing people at all stages of their career.
At OTMA, we work with individuals who are already in their roles, already contributing, already leading in some capacity, but who haven’t had the opportunity to formalise or develop their skills further. Our programmes are designed to support progression, not just entry.
Whether it’s building confidence in leadership, improving operational performance, or developing strategic thinking, apprenticeships can play a huge role in helping people grow where they are, not just helping them get started.
That shift in understanding is something we’re clearly still working towards as an industry. If you want to chat through your options and see how apprenticeships can help you progress in your career then book a call with out friendly team and explore what works for you.
Why This Matters
For employers, this misconception can be a missed opportunity.
If apprenticeships are only seen as a recruitment tool for junior roles, then the real value is being overlooked. They can be used to upskill existing teams, strengthen leadership capability, and drive meaningful improvements across the business.
For individuals, it can mean missing out on development opportunities that are fully funded and directly relevant to their role.
And for us, it reinforces why events like MACH are so important. Not just for visibility, but for education. For challenging assumptions. For starting conversations that change the way people think about development.
Wrapping Up the Week
By the end of the week, our feet were tired, our voices were a little hoarse, and yes, we still had a questionable number of branded love hearts left over. But more importantly, we left with a huge number of valuable conversations, new connections, and a clearer understanding of where the conversation around apprenticeships still needs to go.
A big thank you to the entire OTMA team who represented us so brilliantly across the week, and to everyone who stopped by the stand, shared their experiences, asked questions, or simply came over for a chat.
We’re looking forward to continuing those conversations and catching up again soon.
