In 1966, the UK’s manufacturing industry employed more than 8.9million people. Today – despite productivity growing at a rate of 2.8% a year – that figure has fallen to less than 2.7million. A strong contributor to that decline has been modern technology, which has allowed us to produce more with less resource – but with an ageing workforce, there’s no doubt the sector is beginning to experience a clear skills gap.
30% of workers are now aged 50 or over, compared to 20% in 1993, a statistic underpinned by a drop in the level of 16-19 year olds entering the industry. Over time, that sharp fall in teenage recruitment could lead to a stall in growth and a decline in productivity.
This year The Skills Show, in partnership with the Edge Foundation, Premier Colleges and The European Social Fund (ESF), is proudly supporting British manufacturing by showcasing career paths in the sector to over 75,000 young people. At the NEC Birmingham on 19th-21st November, exhibitors will include Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen and Toyota, as well as BAE Systems and ABP Food Group.
Free to attend, The Skills Show is the nation’s largest skills and careers event, helping to shape the future of the next generation. It’s a great opportunity to connect young people thinking about their long-term careers with organisations thinking of their long-term futures.
Carole Stott, Chair of Find a Future, commented:
“The Skills Show is all about finding a perfect match between young people and businesses, and we realise that manufacturing is one of the sectors most in need of new blood. That’s where we come in. We work side by side with employers and industry bodies to put young people in touch with businesses planning for the future. It’s also a great chance to celebrate the diversity of skills and talents we have in the UK, particularly among the younger generation – and to work out exactly how these skills can translate into meaningful careers.”
“We believe that giving young people a chance to discover more about the opportunities in industries like manufacturing – particularly at a younger age – can really help to change perceptions. Which is effectively why we organise this event every year – to give our school-leavers and college graduates an extra bit of insight that could inspire or further encourage the development of their careers.”
To find out more about The Skills Show and how you can get involved, please visit findafuture.org.uk
