How to get young people interested in manufacturing careers? What are the best ways to get young people interested in manufacturing careers and help raise the profile of manufacturing with young people?
Schools, Colleges, and Manufacturers can help with closing the skills gap and get young people interested in manufacturing careers. There are a few things already in place, but there is always more to try and boost encouragement.
What Schools and Colleges can do:
Developing effective and mutually beneficial relationships between schools and employers will help tackle the skills gap in the industry.
Schools and colleges have a statutory obligation to engage with employers, this is due to the introduction of the Gatsby benchmarks. They must have details of a dedicated carers leader on their website and ensure students have encounters with employers. The reason for this, is for students to learn about technical education options.
This gap needs to be filled as many young people are missing the opportunity to learn manufacturing and engineering information.
What Manufacturing businesses can do:
Manufacturers can help make themselves more appealing to the younger generation by having a social media presence. Many young people are using social media all the time, meaning a business with no social media or an uninspiring presence won’t help dispel the talks of manufacturing not being an enjoyable place of work.
An inspiring social media presence will encourage young people to look at the company website. A good website that reflects the quality of manufacturing will gain attraction from young people. Including some photography that reflects the quality of manufacturing and shows the business is in the 21st Century – images help create a visual representation of a company.
Events like National Apprenticeship week are good for inspiring young people, as it shows there are different avenues into manufacturing as well as the different available jobs in the market. Apprenticeships are a good way for manufacturers to build the next generation of their workforce. They are also a good opportunity for young people to be challenged and learn through experience.
In-Comm Training, which operates in three Technical Academies, provides leading services to the industry, commerce and learners. They have seen a surge in the amount of companies investing in vocational learning, and currently there are 201 vacancies available. Meaning there are lots of opportunities for students receiving their A-levels and GCSEs. The company has launched a dedicated hotline to inform and guide students and their families through different choices.
Design and Make Challenge:
The Design and Make Challenge is organised by the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN) aimed at young people interested in a career in manufacturing. They recently held the challenge for the third time at the WMG Academy for Young Engineers (Solihull) with around 12 schools and colleges, and close to 40 Year 11 and Year 12 students.
The students involved were challenged with designing and making a mechanical device using basic tools and materials, with support from apprentices and engineers from the MAN companies. Students were encouraged to develop ideas through trials and analysis. In teams of four, the students used basic materials and tools to make a vehicle which would be propelled by a falling weight. After testing and modifying their devices, they got to race them on a track to find out which device would make it to the end the fastest. Their devices were then tested by a qualified panel of engineers and prizes were awarded to schools under three categories.
- Efficiency
- Innovation
- Manufacturing
Overall, it is clear to see that there are multiple options currently available – the relationship manufacturers are developing with schools is great for students to gain an insight into the industry. The National Apprenticeship week creates a physical and visual insight for young people to see manufacturing jobs, their benefits and what is available in the market.
The dedicated hotline launched by In-Comm Training is the next step in the right direction and the Design and Make challenge is creating lots of engagement with young people and schools to create new career paths for students. Now we need to be seeing employers utilising their social media accounts and websites to attract young people to see more about the industry.
With thanks to:
https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
https://makeitbritish.co.uk/blog/make-manufacturing-more-appealing-to-young-people/
