Why engage?

Building effective, long-standing and mutually beneficial relationships between employers and schools will go some way to help address the skills gap our industry face. 73% of manufacturers have found it difficult to recruit for engineering roles in the past three years, and 72% are concerned about findings the skills they need for their business in the future . The support that manufacturers offer to schools to improve their careers provision will no doubt encourage more young people to consider a career in manufacturing, and inspire the next generation of creators, innovators and makers.

Why now?

The introduction of the Gatsby Benchmarks means that schools and colleges now have a statutory obligation to engage with employers to improve their careers provision. They must have a dedicated careers leader, whose details must be available on the school / college website, ensure students have at least seven encounters with employers, and learn about the technical education options as well as academic routes within careers to name a few.
But analysis by the CEC has found that roughly three-quarters of young people miss out on at least one encounter at some point during secondary school. Therefore, there is a real need to fill this gap, and manufacturers are prepared to step up.

What to offer schools

Understanding what works and benefits manufacturers, as well as the school that manufacturers engage with, is important. Whilst many manufacturers are offering work experience and job shadowing opportunities, work by the CEC has found that the strength of evidence for different activity varies. 

But whatever manufacturers can offer, quality should always be the primary focus. Good quality job shadowing will be more impactful and inspiring than a poorly designed mentoring programme. So always make sure to offer young people quality engagements with you, and your business.

What next?

Given 2018 is the Year of Engineering, a cross-government campaign to raise the profile of engineering and manufacturing, we are calling all manufacturers to sign a pledge to support engagement with schools and inspire the next generation of creators, innovators and makers.

Download our guide, sign your pledge, and share it with us on twitter @MakeUK_ #InspiretheCreators #InspiretheInnovators #InspiretheMakers

Our #GenerationZ workshop is all about how to attract the next generation. So if you’re thinking of succession? Or perhaps who will apply for that job? Take the opportunity to speak to apprentices and graduates in this interactive workshop to learn and develop a blueprint of how to attract the next generation into your business: https://www.manufacturingconference.co.uk/activities/2