ANNUAL MANUFACTURING REPORT 2016

TRAINING & SKILLS
ANNUAL
MANUFACTURING
REPORT2016
TRAINING & SKILLS
Sponsored by:
Analysis by Halil Bedevi
Managing Director
Hennik Recruitment
There are plenty of vacancies
in manufacturing; it offers more
opportunities, and of higher value, than
for decades. It offers real training and the
prospect of acquiring transferable skills
to last a lifetime. Projects like Bloodhound
SSC and initiatives such as STEM can
fire young imaginations and help to
attract and retain people throughout
their working lives. It opens up global
opportunities; if you’re an engineer you
can go anywhere in the world.
But the skills gap remains and some
of the needs are in crucial areas. The
preparedness of young people for the
world of work is unacceptable. Far too
many of our respondents describe the
preparedness of 16 and 18-year-olds
as “poor” or “very poor”. While it has
been suggested that the abolition of
compulsory work placement may have
had an effect, it cannot be seriously
argued that two weeks out of 11 or 13
years of compulsory education can really
make a huge difference.
The problem is deeper-seated and
rooted in a longstanding disconnection
between schools and employers. There
may have to be some plain speaking
across either side of the divide if the gap
in understanding is to be bridged.
Shortages exist in engineering and
automation; toolmaking; technical
and practical positions; and in problem
solving; planning and organisation; and
leadership and management roles.
Written communication skills seem to be
in shorter supply as well.
Companies are prepared to invest in their
own people. There are more vacancies
for apprentices and there’s more in-work
upskilling, both accredited and informal.
The recently-announced Apprenticeship
Levy may encourage even more –
depending on its final shape.
Manufacturing already knows that lowskilled,
heavily physical occupations are
in the past and no more than historical
curiosities. Opportunities presented by
STEM, Bloodhound and the success of
Lewis Hamilton and our F1 teams generally
should be seized upon in order to inform,
educate and enthuse the next generation.