What about Manufacturing?

As many large firms have outsourced goods production to low cost competitors overseas, the UK manufacturing industry has learnt to focus on its strengths. The last 20 years have seen the sector experience a steady decline, but through specialisation and sub-contracting, it has recently found a new lease of life.

A number of functions, such as research and development and design, have been flourishing and now the UK can boast world beating research into new products and technologies in areas such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals and electronics. It is also a world leader in biotechnology manufacturing.

There's no doubt that the way forward for the UK manufacturing sector is to concentrate on skills and technology. Companies that stay abreast of today's emerging technologies will be the first to take advantage of the evolving opportunities to advance, compete internationally, and expand their businesses.

Typical Activities

The UK is at the forefront of technological development, competing globally with other European countries, Japan, North America and the Pacific Rim. Manufacturing engineers and technicians can find themselves doing any of the following:

planning and maintaining production lines;
incorporating new methods and processes into existing lines;
consulting with design engineers to introduce efficient and cost effective new processes;
liaising with research and development departments;
working with regulatory bodies to ensure safety and environmental standards are met.

Getting in

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Although there has been a decline in the traditional manufacturing industry, it is still one of the most important industries in the UK. Today it employs a total of 3 million people in a range of jobs from operatives performing routine but vital roles, to skilled craftspeople. Engineers and technicians fill many senior positions, supported by senior production staff with qualifications in almost every discipline.

There are a range of people employed in the manufacturing sector, including craftspeople, technicians, designers, engineers physicists and industrial chemists. As a general rule this is an industry that is looking for people who are able to update knowledge and change direction quickly. The skills needed vary with the job, but everyone working in this industry will need to be able to adapt as the sector develops.

Apprenticeships, voacational qualifications and self-employment are popular options in this sector but there is also an increasing need for graduates. In order to keep abreast of the competition employees are using increasingly sophisticated equipment and machinery that will need a great deal of technical knowledge and skill to utilise. If you can see yourself in the manufacturing industry, the recently introduced Diploma in Manufactuing might be just the right thing for you.