Aimed at encouraging young people to consider a future in UK manufacturing, these new initiatives are based around highlighting positive developments in the sector whilst illustrating a connection to education and jobs.
Topping this list of initiatives is the production of materials designed to support the recruitment efforts of small to medium-sized manufacturing companies. Many of these organisations find it difficult to provide an exciting picture of what a career in manufacturing could look like to a young person.
The point is illustrated by Chris Seymour, managing director at the Sheffield headquartered steel casting specialist, William Cook.
He says: “I have a link with a specific local school where we are funding their purchase of a desktop 3D printer for their pupils to try out. Some of those pupils will then visit our factory to see what we are doing with a sophisticated industrial 3D printer so they learn what the technology is capable of.
“I’d find highly useful well thought-out material I could give to groups such as this, or online resources I could point them to, as this would supplement what they see at our plant and perhaps boost their enthusiasm for a manufacturing career. “
Andrew Churchill, executive chairman of JJ Churchill, a Leicestershire-based maker of turbine blades, is another manufacturer who sets great store on links with local schools.
He says of Made Here Now: "I like the overall approach, I find it fresh and appealing. I'd applaud anything it can do to assist the efforts of Britain's manufacturers to get closer to schools in their area and increase the attractiveness of the sector as a place for young people to come and work."
Whilst Made Here Now is producing new material to support the thousands of companies facing the same challenges as William Cook and JJ Churchill, the project doesn’t aim to replicate the work of the many different groups promoting engineering and manufacturing. Instead, it looks to provide a useful way to link the best of these resources and is planning collaborative ventures with trade associations to facilitate this.
Made Here Now is also producing material aimed at the specific training and education needs of organisations, such as those in financial services, which have manufacturers as customers.
Made Here Now was launched in 2014 and to date it has received backing from over 70 sponsors. 2019 sponsors include 11 manufacturers - JCB, Goodwin, Tata Steel, William Cook, Renishaw, Croft Filters, James Cropper , Plessey Semiconductors, James Walker, Brompton Bicycle, Peratech; two charities -Comino Foundation and ERA Foundation; one financial services group - Walter Scott; one government/industry research organisation - High Value Manufacturing Catapult; one research and technology consultancy – TTP The Technology Partnership; one university - City, University of London School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering; and one trade association – Make UK.
“We have developed a website and support materials that are already having a positive impact. Thanks to the support of these latest sponsors we are now able to take the influence of Made Here Now to the next level. We want more people to take a look at the website, share it with their contacts and let us know what you think of it,” said Peter Marsh, founder of Made Here Now.
There are several ways that individuals and organisations can get involved with this initiative. To find out more please click here
