At EEF, we’re committed to giving you the facts. Facts and impartial advice that empowers you to make the correct decisions when choosing your future career.
This is something we’re so passionate about, that every yearly quarter our industry experts produce a Manufacturing Outlook survey that paints a true and accurate picture of the current British manufacturing landscape.
It’s no secret that the world is still in the midst of an economic crisis but despite this, British manufacturing has remained buoyant over the last twelve months. In fact, the latest results for Q4 2011 have been the poorest to date yet despite this, manufacturing companies have reported outputs to be up by 12% and orders by 8%.
Despite the economic gloom, the manufacturing sector has done Britain proud and as the results have shown, we’ve not just survived 2011 but actually prospered. Sectors such as motor vehicles and mechanical equipment have experienced a strong quarter. Looking ahead to the next three months, this pattern looks set to continue with other transport in particular looking strongly positive, on the back of strong demand from civil aviation.
Another benefit is of course apprenticeships where 2011 has marked a real revival in the number of apprentices being employed and professionally trained.
A revival that is of course spearheaded by government, which announced in July of this year it would be investing £25m into higher apprenticeships. More recently, this has been followed up by the creation of 19,000 degree-level apprenticeships, £50m in investment to encourage employers to take on apprentices and additional support for SMEs.
The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said; "Investing in skills is central to our drive to boost business and productivity and make the UK more competitive. By expanding the number of degree-level apprenticeships for young people, we will put practical learning on a level footing with academic study."
This is of course a belief that the manufacturing industry and EEF also holds, that investing in people and talent will give businesses the impetus and resources to grow.
Tom Lawton, Head of Manufacturing at BDO, added; “Despite this gloom, manufacturing looks set to perform well in relation to other parts of the UK economy in 2012 and we would strongly encourage the Government to increase the momentum of support for the sector in order to help rebalance and boost the economy. It seems clear that manufacturing has to be at the centre of the government’s future growth plans.”
We’re determined to make 2012 a landmark year for British manufacturing. If you’d like it to be a landmark year for your future career, get in touch with our team of advisors.
