Manufacturing is one of the UK’s most diverse and crucial industries. Guy Opperman, UK Minister for Employment, and Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, highlight how National Manufacturing Day 2023 celebrates and cultivates job opportunities.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR FUTURE MAKERS
For centuries, the manufacturing industry has been a significant indicator of modernisation.
Indeed, the Industrial Revolution that took place in the 1700s heralded a new age of manufacturing, and by the 19th century, the UK had become known as the workshop of the world, due to its dominance in international trade as the world’s largest manufacturer.
Today, the UK manufacturing industry spans a vast range of sectors, steadily increasing by 1.4 percent every year since 1948, sparking a transition from low to high-productivity goods, advancements in automation and technology, and producing a highly-skilled workforce.
Held on 28th September, the mission of this year’s National Manufacturing Day (NMD) was to bolster the many available employment opportunities, as the celebration called upon jobseekers to consider the value-added benefits of this vital industry.
First established by Make UK in 2022, NMD showcases the best of British manufacturing, as businesses across the UK present a range of proficient job opportunities across hundreds of factory sites, celebrating a plethora of manufacturing sectors such as automotive, food and beverage, aerospace, defence, medicine, chemical, and more.
Businesses that took part in this year’s NMD include Lush, RNLI Lifeboats, and Siemens, who all opened their doors to let the general public take a peek behind the scenes and witness the multitude of options available for career development.
“This is a really exciting day where the whole manufacturing sector comes together to celebrate the innovative things Britain designs and makes,” Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK states.
“Our companies are at the forefront of global renewable technology development and some of the most groundbreaking engineering developments seen anywhere in the world.”
THE KEY TO GROWTH
At this year’s NMD, the UK Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman, called upon employers in the manufacturing industry to take advantage of the free support available from Jobcentre Plus, as it is key to accelerating the UK economy.
In fact, manufacturing is one of the most significant growth areas which the government has committed to supporting in job creation, as it aims to strengthen the UK’s competitive advantage in the global market.
“Manufacturing is a key part of our plan to grow the economy, driving innovation and productivity as well as playing a vital role in upskilling and futureproofing the UK workforce,” Opperman comments.
To further build the national sector, the government has engaged in programmes such as Made Smarter, the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), and the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF). Indeed, the government pledged £350 million to the ATF in accordance with its 2021 Net Zero Strategy.
Alongside this, the government has also announced £500 million of funding in the 2020 Ten Point Plan, to support the creation of an internationally competitive electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, further stimulating growth.
“I am proud of the Department of Work and Pensions’ (DWP) record of linking firms up and down the country with jobseekers looking to move into the sector. I encourage both employers and individuals to reach out to their local Jobcentre Plus teams to make the most of the opportunities and talent in their areas,” Opperman adds.
BUILDING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
To commemorate NMD 2023, employers and local manufacturing businesses held tours and programmes for all ages and abilities. One particularly engaging scheme managed by Jobcentre Plus is the Sector-based Work Academies Programme (SWAP), which provides trainees with comprehensive fast-track training to learn new skills and obtain relevant work experience, as well as offering the opportunity of a job interview with the employer at the end of the programme.
Therefore, NMD is a catalyst for positive change in the industry, as it places the multitude of diverse job opportunities at the fore, whilst nurturing and influencing the next generation of innovative British manufacturers.
