Member Article

Industry calls on government to boost manufacturing

Leading industry figureheads from the manufacturing sector are calling on the government to help boost the public perception of manufacturing in the UK.

Their demand is framed by a year-long programme of research that will look at what role the government should have in ensuring that the sector plays a key part in the economic recovery.

In a nationwide poll of 169 senior figures from the manufacturing sector, 57% responded that improving the perception of manufacturing as a career route was the most important factor in enhancing the sector’s skills base.

Andrew Ellis, head of strategy for global manufacturing at GlaxoSmithKline, said: “There is a lack of understanding about what a career in manufacturing actually means. People can’t visualise it, they don’t know what it is.”

The programme of research- which will continue throughout 2011- held consultations with members of the public from around the UK and revealed a major lack of confidence in UK manufacturing despite its remarkably strong performance through the financial crisis.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .