This year’s event is to be held on 22 October 2025 once again in the Great Hall at Magna Science Adventure Centre and will include workshops and up to 60 exhibitors. Visitors can chat with exhibitors regarding current and upcoming vacancies as well as volunteering opportunities. Students are able to discuss potential career paths and apprenticeships/internships with businesses.
Exhibitors include:
- LEAF Partner, Mears Group, will be exhibiting to promote their apprenticeships for local people in their repairs and maintenance contract for RMBC.
- LEAF Partner and event Patrons, the RNN Group, provide courses and apprenticeships for school leavers and adults, including higher education at the University Centre Rotherham (UCR). They specialise in career focused courses, providing students with hands on experience to develop the crucial skills needed for employment. RNN want to discuss retraining with adults/jobseekers and speak to students regarding the opportunities available at Rotherham and Dearne Valley Colleges.
- LEAF event Patrons, the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub, support local businesses to take positive steps to employ more apprentices, connecting them with great local talent and helping young people understand the breadth and scope of careers that apprenticeships can lead to.
- LEAF Partner, The Department of Works and Pensions, will be attending to raise awareness of careers in the Civil Service.
- LEAF Sponsors, The Learning Curve Group, are a National Training Provider supporting learners aged 16+ into education and employment. They offer Study Programmes, Apprenticeships and Adult Learning Programmes and will be raising awareness across South Yorkshire of what they do.
- LEAF Sponsors, the Northern College, is a unique adult residential college located at Wentworth Castle in Barnsley. It is the only residential college for adults aged 19 and over in the North of England. Their primary mission is to support adults—particularly those without formal qualifications—who are looking to re-enter education, gain employment, or change careers. The college offers immersive residential learning experiences, allowing students to stay on campus while they study. This setup is especially beneficial for learners who need a focused and supportive environment.
- LEAF Sponsors, Rotherham Opportunities College (ROC) are a post-16 specialist provision college, supporting young people aged between 16-25 years old. They will be showcasing the variety within their curriculum.
- Pathways to Work, is a new initiative designed to help out-of-work South Yorkshire residents get into, or back into employment. Pathways to Work Rotherham can offer: A dedicated keyworker to help develop your skills and confidence and support your job search. Specialist support to overcome any obstacles which may be preventing you from working, including health barriers. A flexible barrier-busting fund to help you access work and stay in employment. Pathways to Work will be offering support to people who are looking for work. The programme is for anyone aged 16+ so they can also work with students.
- Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce who are the voice of local businesses and will be attending to support young people find career inspiration.
- RiDO (Rotherham Investment & Development Office), the investment and regeneration arm of Rotherham Council, will be showcasing the regeneration projects taking place across the borough and consulting with young people on future developments.
- Rotherham Council will be showcasing their various roles including; Education and Skills, Housing, Highways and Planning, Social Care, Leisure, Culture, Parks and Green Spaces, Finance and Customer Service, Community Safety and Public Health, Recycling and Refuse, Revenue and Benefits Support. They will be informing young people about the potential pathways into work.
- The Work-wise Foundation is an employer-led charity who support the development of young people so they have the knowledge, skills, aptitude and opportunities for employment within South Yorkshire and beyond. Skills Street is an immersive and innovative world-of-work experience developed to widen career aspirations for children, young people, and adults across the region and inspire the next generation to work. They will both be at LEAF25 to raise awareness of the opportunities available to young people and schools and raise awareness of jobs and careers in the region.
- Rotherham United Community Trust is the charitable arm of Rotherham United Football Club. They exist to unite, empower and strengthen communities, reducing inequalities and creating opportunities for local people. Working in partnership across the borough, they design and deliver inclusive programmes shaped by local needs and aspirations. They will be raising awareness of all the different support available across the borough that is on offer via Rotherham United Community Trust and to raise aspirations of all those that attend and equip them with the knowledge to make an informed choice.
- McDonalds are looking to recruit permanent employees for their restaurants ready for the Christmas period.
- Rotherham Park Rangers will be attending to promote conservation and community work in Rotherham.
- RMBC Facilities Services are looking to recruit Cleaners, School Crossing Patrol staff, and Caretakers along with catering roles such General Kitchen Assistants and Cooks.
- Next distribution will be sharing details about live vacancies and are looking to recruit for many different roles. This includes warehouse operatives, engineers and management posts. They would like to spread awareness of the variety of roles they have available.
- Wickersley Partnership Trust, a Multi Academy Trust with 12 schools in the Rotherham area will be advertising their vacancies within Teaching and support such as Administration and Teaching Assistants.
- Journey Matters is Rotherham Council’s Mobile Active Travel Hub. Anyone who lives, works or studies in Rotherham can borrow an e-bike, get their existing bike fixed, learn how to ride, and get advice on local routes – all free of charge! The Hub will be encouraging people to consider travelling to work by bike or e-bike and can provide everything they need to start their cycling journey!
- Target Housing will be based in the Health & Care Zone and provide housing with care and support to vulnerable people. They are a charity and a registered social landlord and support a range of people including providing a specialist women’s service, supported housing for people with a mental illness and community care. They are exhibiting to raise the reputation of health and social care as a meaningful career, attracting talent to the workforce and providing knowledge and understanding of the wider roles available that surpass the typical ‘care’ roles people may envisage.
- Caremark will be exhibiting in the Health and Social Care Zone. Caremark help children and young adults with complex care within the communities of Rotherham, Sheffield and the surrounding areas. They are exhibiting to attract new employees to the Care industry by showcasing the work of their business.
- DA Languages Ltd. enable people and organisations to tackle the critical language challenges they face every day. Their first-class interpreting and translation services cover more than 500 languages, including BSL and other non-spoken languages. They connect clients and their service users with crucial expertise, whenever and wherever they need it. Because the world is a better, fairer place when everyone is understood. They are exhibiting to build their talent pool of interpreters and help fresh candidates begin the process of beginning to work with them in the world of interpreting.
- MPUK CIC is a Community interest company that undertakes projects to improve community infrastructure or educational projects that improve mental health and wellbeing or increased opportunities for employment. By attending LEAF25, MPUK want to extend their reach further into the community and showcase their free training courses.
- South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation will be part of the Health and Care Zone and will be promoting NHS and entry routes into the NHS for administration and healthcare roles plus promoting an estates and facilities project in the Barnsley area.
- Gulliver’s Valley is Rotherham’s very own Theme Park aimed at families with young children between 2 and 12 years old. They are a school residential destination along with an accommodation village for short breaks and want to showcase their resort and inspire young minds to the career possibilities within the resort. They also bring the fun! Look out for Gully Mouse!
- Preservation Treatments Ltd., as a member of the Property Care Association, provide property surveys and remediation works, specialising in damp, timber, condensation and structural repairs. They hope to reach out to the next generation of surveyors/ technicians hoping to gain experience in the construction industry.
- South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Pathology (SYBP) bring together the best in healthcare science and clinical expertise from some of the UK’s leading specialist laboratories. They would like to share all the different career pathways available to students interested in STEM.
- Employment is for Everyone is a social movement aiming to improve the employment opportunities for autistic people and people with a learning disability. They connect employers, support organisations and individuals and want to raise awareness of the opportunities and support available for both individuals looking for employment and potential employers.
- The Royal Air Force will be promoting their 23 apprenticeship opportunities at LEAF.
- Horizon Care Supported Living provide care within supported living for adults with complex care needs and learning disabilities. They will be recruiting and highlighting their career opportunities.
- Future Connect Training and Recruitment will be exhibiting to promote their fully funded Skills Bootcamps.
- Cera Yorkshire South & West will also be exhibiting in the Health and Social Care Zone. They provide domiciliary care, caring for the elderly in their own homes enabling these clients to stay at home as long as possible assisting with all their daily needs. They will be promoting care as a career and looking to encourage new candidates who may not have even considered care as an occupation.
- Utility Warehouse are exhibiting to recruit partners to join their organisation.
- Employment Solutions provide holistic employment support for 16+. Customers are allocated a specialist adviser who will work with them on their journey into work an provide support to access required training and tickets, confidence building, financial support and employability skills.
- EN:Able Futures, a multi-award-winning Apprenticeship Employer, will be promoting Apprenticeships to visitors.
- Kooth, a NHS commissioned Digital Mental Health Service, which is accessible to all young people across Rotherham and South Yorkshire between the age of 10-25, will be signposting towards how to access their service.
- AMG Chrome Limited are a leading producer of specialist metals, alloys and materials based in Rotherham. They produce high purity chromium plus many other alloys alongside their laboratory services and will be advertising their vacancies and promoting the company as an employer of choice.
- Arthrex an orthopedic medical device company are a leader in product development and medical education and are exhibiting at LEAF with live vacancies and to showcase careers in Medical devices.
- ITI Group, a systems integrator are exhibiting to raise brand awareness and showcase their vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities and are looking forward to meeting and chatting with visitors.
- The British Army will be showcasing their 7 different career streams, explaining the benefits and their service people’s journey. They are attending the event to make people aware of the different roles that are available in the Army that they may not be aware of.
- Autism Plus provide dedicated support for adults aged 18 and over who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), complex disabilities or other neurodiverse conditions. In Rotherham and Sheffield, they offer specialist employment support to help people gain skills, build confidence and move into meaningful, sustainable work. Alongside this, they offer residential and supported living support, as well as day services, to help individuals lead fulfilling lives.
- Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks designs, builds and maintains vital infrastructure assets across the water, energy and telecoms sectors. They are currently working in Thorpe Hesley on a Mine Water Treatment scheme for the Mining Remediation Authority and would like to meet young people interested in pursuing a career in Engineering, but also introduce Engineering and the vast roles available to those who may not of considered the sector before.
- HW Martin Waste Management specialist, who process 700,000 tonnes of recycling every year want to dispel the stigma attached to working in the waste sector and encourage more young people to consider Green Jobs. They have jobs from sorters, through to engineers and HGV drivers and health and safety professionals.
- Rotherham Libraries will be promoting the many volunteering opportunities/placements they have within the town’s Libraries.
- Launchpad are a free start-up business support programme, part of the RIDO team at Rotherham Council. They host workshops and 1-1 meetings for clients to develop their business and upskill themselves in things such as marketing, sales, artificial intelligence and more. They would like to speak to any LEAF visitors who are interested in starting their own business or offer assistance to any who already have.
- Equans provides its customers with excellent technical expertise in the design, installation, maintenance and operation of multi-technical facilities. This know-how is based on key skills. First of all, in electrical and thermal engineering – two strong points that help accelerate the reduction of their clients’ carbon footprint – but also in ventilation, refrigeration, mechanics and robotics, fire protection, energy renovation, digital solutions, IT, cyber security and telecommunications. They are exhibiting to promote career opportunities available within their industry.
- South Yorkshire Housing Association will be exhibiting to offer support to people with both mental and physical disabilities to find or stay in work. They will be offering support to our visitors with their work aspirations.
- The Army will be showcasing their many vacancies and informing visitors of what the Army Reserves has to offer.
- Breheny Civil Engineering Ltd. is a local business and a national contractor founded in 1963 that builds roads bridges and infrastructure for developers, house building and local authorities. They are also part of a national framework upgrading and maintain the Environment Agencies assets.
- The National Horseracing College will be promoting their 12-week residential Foundation Course which is open to everyone age 16+ from the UK and overseas. The HHC are exhibiting at LEAF to highlight horseracing as a career option to those who have not previously considered the industry.
- Looking for a flexible and rewarding role in education? Nexus Multi Academy Trust will be exhibiting at LEAF25 and they are on the lookout for passionate individuals to join their team as Bank Teaching Assistants. Their job opportunities offer you the chance to manage your own schedule, work across a variety of schools and age groups, and build experience that could lead to long term or permanent positions. Nexus is deeply committed to delivering inclusive and personalised learning experiences that help every student thrive and reach their full potential. If you’re enthusiastic, adaptable, and driven to make a difference in education, come and meet the Nexus team at LEAF to find out more.
- Barnsley College offer a range of Vocational, T-Level, A-Level and Apprenticeship pathways, as well as University-level courses and options for adults. They are exhibiting to engage with students, parents and carers to help and advise them on their options post-16.
- Street League use the power of sport to tackle poverty and give young people the opportunities they need to succeed in life and the workplace. From school to the world of work, they support young people aged 16-30, living in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities. Their staff help them overcome their practical and personal barriers to employment.
- TRFT is an acute and community provider NHS Trust. They employ over 500 registered staff in 9 of the 14 Allied Health Professions (AHP), as well as a variety of different AHP support workforce and supporting administrative roles. They will be raising awareness of the Allied Health Professions and the support staff roles, some of which are on a list of small and vulnerable professions, with recruitment challenges. They will be able to provide information on what staff in these roles do and how to get into a career in these services.
- The Charles Clifford Dental Hospital will be exhibiting to promote dental nursing and apprenticeships.
- NovaCity an Urban Sports Centre, is a youth community project that creates a platform and safe space for children to grow. They also work with alternative provision and a Performing Arts College.
- Exhibitors– If you would like to exhibit at LEAF25 please email: Vicki.Norman@rotherham.gov.uk for further details. It is free for businesses to exhibit, but there is a small charge of £250 for training providers/recruitment agencies to attend. Also, ask about our opportunities for sponsorship or patronage. Book early as we fill up very quickly!
- Visitors– There is no need to register just visit on the day anytime between 9am to 2pm. Admission is free.
- School Parties– If you would like to attend LEAF25 please email Jennie.Watts@rotherham.gov.uk for registration details.
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Last year’s event saw over 900 visitors pass through the doors, and at LEAF25, as in previous years, Exhibitors are asked to bring something to engage with these visitors such as larger items and/or interactive displays, previous Exhibitors have brought VR Headsets, props, vehicles, equipment, a climbing wall, games etc., the days of a table full of leaflets and a pull up sign only are long gone!
