Hundreds of visitors turned up to the first Medway showcase of manufacturing and engineering.

Held in Chatham Historic Dockyard, the Manufacturing and Engineering Expo 2013 featured dozens of exhibitors, including BAE Systems, a show sponsor.

Workshops and panel sessions were held throughout the day, ranging from growth finance to social media and manufacturing advice.

BAE Systems demonstrated its hybrid propulsion system that powers buses with the aim of zero carbon emissions.

Around 10% of Medway’s workforce - some 10,000 people - are involved in this sector, contributing around 19% to the local economy.

The former Naval Dockyard had been at the forefront of engineering and manufacturing until its closure in 1984 but that legacy lives on, with Medway still happy to be known as the engine-room of the county’s manufacturing economy.

Medway council leader Cllr Rodney Chambers opened the show.

“Medway Council is delighted to have sponsored this event which underlines it’s commitment to manufacturing and engineering businesses in Medway and the wider North Kent area,” he said.

The sector was expanding and skilled young people were crucial to its future.

That was why the council had supported apprenticeships and the number of apprentices in Medway had grown from 1,400 in 2010 to 2,700.

The new University Technology College, due to open in 2015, would provide specialist education in engineering and construction for students aged 14 to 19.

“This has been achieved in partnership with University of Greenwich, the School of Military Engineering, Mid Kent College and private sector partners including BAE Systems, Delphi, BAM Construct and Denne Construction,” Cllr Chambers said.

Cllr Jane Chitty, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for Strategic Development and Economic Growth, said: “In Medway we still have a thriving manufacturing and engineering sector with top brand names including BAE Systems, Delhi Diesel Systems and Jubilee Clips.

“We have over 800 businesses in this sector, which accounts for nearly 10 per cent of our workforce but more importantly represents over 19 per cent of the Medway economy. In 2010 the number of jobs in the sector increased by 12.4 per cent representing 900 new jobs.

“I am delighted to see so many exhibitors and visitors here today to showcase the excellent manufacturing and engineering businesses that we have in Medway and the wider Kent area.”

Exhibitors praised the inaugural event. Alan Smith, commercial manager for Waterloo Air Products, Aylesford, hoped it would be organised again.

“It’s got great potential and is something we want to be part of,” he said.

“We are part of Constructing Excellence and we are keen to be part of the developing Kent manufacturing scene.”

Andy Hunter, business development manager at Beck & Pollitzer, Dartford, added: “This is the first local show we’ve undertaken. It’s a fantastic location."

He added that the firm was working with MidKent College and students.

Engineering apprentice Owen James, 23, from Dartford, works at the college.

“Engineering is a fantastic sector to get into,” he said. “I’d recommend it to other young people. It covers such a wide variety of careers.”

The expo was organised by Best Business Events on behalf of Medway Council and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, and hosted by Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.

Other sponsors included the KM Group, the Manufacturing Advisory Service, EEF, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, the University of Greenwich, Machinery Market, GTMA, and Complete PR.