National Manufacturing Day to showcase careers this summer

Manufacturers up and down the UK will open their doors to schools, colleges and local communities on National Manufacturing Day – 7 July – to showcase highly skilled jobs on offer in the sector.

The aim of the campaign launched by Make UK is to encourage all age groups, from school leavers to more experienced workers looking at reskilling, to consider the possibilities of a career in manufacturing.

Companies in industries ranging from aerospace to food and drink are expected to participate by showcasing their production operations, how their company works and by putting on a series of interactive events throughout the day. Visitors will be able to talk directly to members of staff about how a particular company works and what opportunities might be available for them in that business.

A further aim for Make UK is to demonstrate the value of a manufacturing apprenticeship as an alternative route post school / college, and specifically to promote these opportunities to women and other minority groups.

“This is a really exciting day where the whole manufacturing sector will come together to celebrate the amazing things that Britain designs and makes,” said Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson.

“During the pandemic, Britain’s manufacturers stayed open to keep the country running and switched production almost overnight to make vital medical supplies. But this sector is agile and exciting all of the time, not just in times of crisis.

“Our companies are at the forefront of global renewable technology development and some of the most innovative engineering developments seen anywhere around the world,” he said. “This is a sector with amazing opportunities and we hope this first National Manufacturing Day will give people who have never had the chance to see inside their local businesses just what is going on and the opportunities available to them.”

Make UK has created a dedicated microsite – which can be found at www.nationalmanufacturingday.org – where companies taking part will post what they produce and detail the events they are planning.

On the day, Make UK will host a special event at its Technology Hub in Birmingham where it will be looking to demonstrate routes to starting a career in the manufacturing sector.

In addition, the organisation will run a series of media interventions and a wide ranging social media campaign, including a TikTok challenge to support the campaign.