This report, commissioned by WorldSkills UK, explores how young people can acquire the world-class skills the UK needs to become a global leader in advanced manufacturing. It combines a review of existing evidence and secondary data analysis with new surveys of over 350 manufacturers and 1,000 young people, as well as interviews with employers and educators. The report finds that despite experiencing a shortfall of vital technical and employability skills, too few manufacturers are fully engaging with the education and skills system to help meet industry standards, or empower young people toward manufacturing careers. As a result, many young people, particularly young women, have negative perceptions of the sector, lack inspirational careers support, and are missing out on opportunities for high-value, highly skilled jobs.
Naomi Clayton, Deputy Director at Learning and Work Institute, said:
“Estimates suggest that there are tens of thousands of vacancies in manufacturing that are proving hard to fill due to skills shortages. Persistent skills shortages risk limiting the UK manufacturing sector’s potential to drive growth and progress toward ‘net zero’. Empowering more young people, and particularly young women, to choose careers in manufacturing could help them to access high-skill jobs with good wages, and support manufacturers to innovate and grow.
“The Government needs to work with manufacturers to improve young people’s awareness of the breath of opportunities in manufacturing. It also needs to boost investment in higher technical education and training, and equip young people with the world class skills required by an internationally competitive advanced manufacturing sector.”
