Made Here Now explores priorities for manufacturing strategy
Leading manufacturers, industry and charities met at the Brompton Bicycle factory in London last week to discuss
how Made Here Now can step up its effort to attract more
young talent into manufacturing. Led by Peter Marsh, founder of the project, and Steve Adams, project director, the
meeting focused on the need to raise the profile of manufacturing whilst inspiring young people to take up careers
in the sector.
The Brompton factory was an ideal setting for the meeting, which shared ideas and experiences
on initiatives that can help bring manufacturing bodies together to increase engagement with young people,
especially children at primary school age and above.
People at the meeting pointed to the need to develop better signposting to the opportunities in
manufacturing, including improved guidance on the possible steps leading to a career.
Adams comments: “The ideas and insights were of great value to the project. Looking at
what needed to be done to inspire and signpost young people was balanced by discission of how this can be
practically achieved. The breadth of expertise and experience in the room provided excellent guidance on some of
the options open to the initiative.
“It was clear that Made Here Now has a key role to play as a convenor, bringing together
manufacturers, trade organisations and charities, helping to develop a cohesive message and that builds on
the work of the many organisations already trying to change the perception of manufacturing in the eyes of
young people,” said Adams.
The group attending the meeting was then given a tour of the factory which included
insights into the technology, brand and history of Brompton.
Will Butler-Adams, chief executive at Brompton Bike, has been a supporter of Made Here Now since
2017. Butler-Adams and Marsh both also spoke at the “Hardtech
and High-Value Manufacturing” seminar at the Royal Society the previous day, organised by the
Foundation for Science and Technology.
Made Here Now will now look to engage more sponsors to help fund work this year to develop
a detailed strategy and plan for this initiative. Made Here Now aims to organise the next planning and
networking meeting in the Midlands, where other manufacturing organisations will also be invited to attend.
If you would like to be kept informed of the plans, please email your details to
[email protected].
