The Manufacturing Institute welcomes Governments Recognition yesterday of importance of UK Manufacturing
28/01/2011 The Manufacturing Institute
* The Manufacturing Institute supports the government's recognition of the value delivered by the UK's manufacturing sector, and the need to ensure that the image of modern manufacturing is communicated with vigour in order to attract more talent to the sector* The Manufacturing Institute's Make It in Manufacturing schools programme is already encouraging new talent into the sector and has seen over 60,000 pupils and their teachers get a taste of manufacturing first hand, delivering hugely encouraging results
Myths abound about manufacturing being dead-end, messy and lacking creativity, with boring assembly lines, poor pay and a lack of esteem for its workers. There is recognition that manufacturers themselves need to further improve its image and to open their doors to students and teachers to tackle this and to further encourage new talent into the sector
The dot com collapse, followed by the banking crisis and recent recession has resulted in a long overdue recognition that manufacturing is crucial to the future prosperity of the UK, especially for vital exports that boost the country's balance of trade deficit.
The Manufacturing Institute (TMI) set about addressing the image problem several years ago introduced an innovative campaign to support UK manufacturers in attracting new talent, Make It - specifically designed to encourage more young and future talent into manufacturing.
TMI also published 'Manufacturing - the Truth behind the Myths', that dispelled the top ten negative views on manufacturing through a series of case studies from influential and high-profile world-class manufacturers, including Bentley Motors, BAE Systems Submarines, Siemens and Airbus.
TMI launched the successful Make It campaign (www.makeit.org.uk) in 2006. To date, more than 60,000 youngsters have participated in its hands-on manufacturing-focused activities which have a proven track record in overturning the negative perceptions that young people have about working in the sector.
The Make It campaign is supported by many UK manufacturers, including BAE Systems, SHARP, Sellafield, Robert Wiseman Dairies and Jaguar Land Rover and the manufacturers themselves are equally positive about the campaign and its importance.
Brian Stringer, Chief Operating Officer for the Survitec Group, said: "We support Make It as we recognise how vital it is to overturn outdated and old-fashioned perceptions of manufacturing and encourage more young people to enter the sector. We sponsored a recent Make It event in Liverpool and the day was a great way of showing the teenagers that attended the fantastic career opportunities available in modern manufacturing."
In fact, Thursday 27th January saw 12 teams of pupils from schools participating in the Siemens-sponsored Make It in Manufacturing Enterprising Schools Challenge heat being held in Congleton. The MP for Weaver Vale, Graham Evans, was in attendance to witness the youngsters - and their teachers' - enthusiasm, as they set about competing as manufacturers for the day.
Dr Julie Madigan, Chief Executive, The Manufacturing Institute said:
"The high standards of innovation and intellectual challenge in modern UK manufacturing, together with exacting environmental and ethical production methods and a high regard for the health, safety and wellbeing of workers, means that manufacturing is now certainly very much an appropriate choice for those seeking a rewarding and fulfilling working career.
"Our 'Manufacturing - the Truth behind the Myths' booklet has already made great inroads into dispelling the top ten negative views of manufacturing, and The Manufacturing Institute will continue to campaign strongly on this issue that is so vital to the UK economy."
If you'd like a copy of the 'Myths' booklet, please send an email, with your name and address, to ed.moss@manufacturinginstitute.co.uk , The Manufacturing Institute, on 0800 458 9585, quoting 'myths', or visit www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk
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