How can the manufacturing skills shortage be solved?

The manufacturing industry is a vitally integral part of the UK economy. And as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, the UK has a manufacturing legacy that should continue to be built upon. But recruiting workers that have the necessary skills has become a real problem in this otherwise vibrant and innovative sector.
What can be done to fill the skills shortage? And how can the industry make itself more attractive to younger trainees and recruits?

Manufacturing’s image problem

Skills shortage and image problems

According to a recent report from MAKE UK, over a third of the roles in the industry are proving hard to fill because applicants do not have the necessary skills. Unfortunately, the manufacturing industry has an image problem.

For young people, the industry has a reputation for being a bit mucky, stuck in the past and not very environmentally friendly. Of course, innovations in green technology mean this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Spinning this poor image may be key to encouraging people to get trained, especially when it comes to attracting a younger workforce that includes equal numbers of men and women. The manufacturing world is actually one of the most innovative on earth and the rapid growth of green technologies is testament to this.

What younger workers expect

The use of new technologies such as new-generation plasma spray techniques, like those used by www.poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments/plasma-coatings/, is another example of innovation. The industry should certainly foreground these facts to encourage the next generation to gain the skills needed to work in this sector.

Expectations of younger recruits

Due to cultural shifts and the Covid effect, the younger workforce also has expectations for more flexible and potentially home-working opportunities. In the world of manufacturing, this is not always possible, especially for hands-on jobs. But ensuring the roles in certain areas such as research, design, management, admin, HR and IT have more homeworking possibilities may be one way to attract staff.

By focusing on the positives and on the future, the industry could help encourage young people to gain qualifications in this exciting sector.

Summary

Looks at why the UK manufacturing sector struggles to fill vacancies despite its importance to the economy, pointing to an outdated public image problem, the innovative green technologies actually used in modern manufacturing such as plasma spray techniques, and how offering more flexible or home-working options in areas like design and admin could help attract younger recruits.

Questions this article raises

• What specific steps could improve manufacturing’s image among young people?
• Which manufacturing roles are realistically suited to flexible or home working?
• How significant is the skills shortage compared with other industries?