Columnist

A welcome step forward – but let’s keep pushing

By Alan Whittaker, head of operations at RTC North

In July 2024, I wrote a blog titled Why We Must Champion Manufacturing Across the North calling for a bold, long term industrial strategy that placed manufacturing at the heart of the UK’s economic future. 

I emphasised three urgent priorities, targeted investment in advanced capabilities, a national programme to accelerate technology adoption in SMEs, and a coordinated push to make manufacturing an aspirational career for young people in the North.

Today, with the publication of the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, I’m pleased to say many of these calls have been heard and are being acted upon.

1. Long term commitment to frontier industries and place-based growth

The strategy sets out a clear ambition to double annual business investment in the sector to £39 billion by 2035. 

It recognises that 84 per cent of manufacturing jobs lie outside London and the South East and responds with £160 million investment zones focused on advanced manufacturing in areas including the North East, West Midlands and South Yorkshire. 

This directly echoes my call for regionally focused investment to address regional productivity gaps.

2. Made Smarter goes national

I’ve long advocated for a national roll out of the Made Smarter Adoption programme, having seen the real-world benefits for SMEs across the North. 

The strategy confirms up to £99 million to support this expansion across all English regions. It will enable more firms to adopt digital tools, robotics and AI, with dedicated digital skills support and internships. 

This is a major win for SME competitiveness.

3. Skills and perceptions

The Sector Plan commits over £100 million to support engineering skills and outlines flexible apprenticeships, short technical courses, and recruitment initiatives to shift perceptions about manufacturing. I welcome the introduction of a Manufacturing Equality Charter and the 35 per cent women in industry target. 

The pledge to change outdated views through Jobcentres, schools and outreach is a practical response to an issue I raised: making manufacturing an exciting, high-status career once again.

Despite the progress, there are gaps.

1. A greater focus on supply chain integration

While the plan mentions the importance of foundational industries and the establishment of a Supply Chain Centre, there’s limited detail on how SMEs will be supported to enter or expand within national and international value chains. 

In 2024, I argued for a more proactive approach to building integrated UK supply chains. I hope this will be strengthened through programme design and implementation.

2. Clearer pathways for scaling northern innovation

Although clusters are mentioned, and programmes like DRIVE35 and the National Materials Innovation Programme are promising, I’d like to see clearer alignment of R&D funding and commercialisation support for northern firms, especially those in early, stage advanced manufacturing. 

We need bespoke routes for scaling regionally anchored innovation into national and global markets.

3. Skills Delivery Infrastructure in the North

The strategy is strong on skills ambitions, but less clear on how they’ll be delivered on the ground in the North. Will we see new Technical Excellence Colleges in the North East and Cumbria? 

How will local employers shape curriculum? 

And how can we ensure initiatives like Skills England meaningfully collaborate with devolved authorities and Combined Mayoral Authorities?

The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan is a major step forward. 

It reflects a much-needed shift back to long-term strategic thinking, something I and many in the sector have been calling for. 

It recognises manufacturing as essential to both economic prosperity and national security and rightly positions regions like the North as central to that future.

Now we must ensure this strategy is implemented in a way that delivers on its promise, not just in Whitehall, but in the factories, research centres, and training providers across our northern towns and cities.

As ever, RTC North stands ready to support that journey.

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