By John Pearce, CEO, Made in Britain
The British manufacturing sector offers young people starting their careers something genuinely invaluable (and often so challenging to see) in the workplace. Starting a career in manufacturing can give people meaning and fulfilment at work.
My responsibilities with our 2,175 members have taken me inside our factories, making all sorts of extraordinary and everyday products. The common thread that ties everyone together in the sector is simply this: people know what they’re doing, and they know why it matters to the business. This is because in manufacturing, everyone makes a difference, and everyone is in some way responsible for the quality of the end product. Without that sense of teamwork and collaboration across the many different disciplines of making and crafting, no products would ever get made – no factories would ever be profitable.
One of the highlight stories on our membership news stream this month was about Lauren Dean, an apprentice TIG welder working for Pland Stainless (pictured). At 21 years old, Lauren transitioned from pursuing a career in hair and beauty to completing an Engineering Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship.
She said, “It was an easy option for me to do hairdressing from school, and whilst I did enjoy it, this opportunity at Pland means I am still working with my hands in a completely different way. I am now pursuing a trade that offers progression and gives me a skill that certainly appears in demand.”
Read the article in full here.
Often overlooked, even by some of those promoting the sector, is the fact that manufacturing offers something for everyone, regardless of their capabilities, interests or skillsets. Whether you’re into the creative industries, design, material technology, fabrication or sales and marketing, everyone can make a difference to success inside a manufacturing business. If you can work in a team and interact with people at work towards making better, more desirable and sustainable goods, then you’re bound to find your place in British manufacturing. The other big attraction of the sector is that you’ll be more likely to be working in person. Numerous studies on performance and happiness at work point to the essential need for humans to interact in person with people they respect and care about.
The sector needs young (and not-so-young) people to come forward and increase the number of great products made here in the UK, so more essential items in life are produced closer to home.
By Made in Britain 1 month ago | By Made in Britain