At the recent Made in Group national online meetup, members came together with a clear purpose: to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing UK manufacturing—how to attract and inspire young people to join the sector. Following a trio of insightful best practice talks, members broke into focused digital roundtables, including the UK Industry Insights group, chaired by Jason Pitt. This session became a deep-dive into workforce engagement, education partnerships, and creating a lasting pipeline of talent.
The energy in the discussion was forward looking and practical, with members from across the country sharing their initiatives, ideas, and results. The conclusion was unanimous: the sector has both the tools and determination to build its future workforce—by connecting more deeply with young people and the education system.
Reaching the Next Generation, Early
Ian Fisher from Mattair, based in Dronfield, highlighted the importance of early outreach. His company specialises in designing and fitting bespoke cooling systems, an area of engineering vital to countless industries.
To help raise awareness of their work, and the industry as a whole. Mattair engages with local schools through STEM activities. “We teach students that our sector exists and plays a huge role in everyday life,” Ian shared. “It’s a background industry that keeps the world moving.”
Ian noted that while business growth is strong, the availability of young talent remains a challenge. His team is investing in outreach and education to address this, showing young people what careers in engineering really look like.
Supporting Industry Through Legal and Educational Partnerships
Nicola Cooper from Clarion Solicitors in Leeds brought a legal and strategic lens to the table. Clarion works closely with manufacturers across the region and plays an active role in addressing skills gaps by connecting employers with colleges and training institutions.
“Whether it’s through immigration pathways, training partnerships, or KTPs, we’re working to help manufacturers access the skills they need now and into the future,” Nicola said.
Similarly, Neil Davies, Head of Engineering at University College Birmingham, offered an optimistic view from the education side. With over 350 engineering students across levels 2 to 7, he sees firsthand the demand among young people to enter the sector.
“There’s definitely appetite among students for careers in engineering,” Neil explained. “The key is aligning course content with industry needs and helping employers connect with our graduates.”
Neil stressed the importance of outreach even earlier in the education journey, recommending that businesses start connecting with schools at ages 8–9 to inspire curiosity and plant the seeds of career ambition early on.
Apprenticeships: A Proven Model for Growth
The standout example of apprenticeship success came from Scott White of BBerry and Escott, an engineering services provider in the Southwest. Out of their 59 employees, 11 are apprentices, a statistic that earned admiration from fellow participants.
Scott outlined four pillars of their strategy: a strong local presence, meaningful work for apprentices from day one, a solid reputation for excellence, and, crucially, word of mouth. “When young people hear from their friends about the work our apprentices are doing, it inspires them to want to be a part of it,” he said.
Berry and Escott also supports local colleges by designing and building custom training rigs, helping bridge the gap between classroom and shop floor. “From the moment an apprentice joins us, they’re engaged, contributing to real work, and developing skills that matter.”
Championing Transferable Skills and Inclusion
Kirsty from Professional Polishing Services brought another dimension to the discussion: the value of transferable skills. As founder of Women with Metal and host of the Women in Industry podcast, she champions diversity and inclusive recruitment practices.
“When recruiting, we focus on attitude and transferable skills,” Kirsty said. “It’s not just about technical qualifications, it’s about communication, problem solving, and the ability to adapt.”
Her approach resonates across the industry, with many businesses now recognising the importance of hiring for potential and providing in-house training to shape that talent into long-term contributors.
Marketing the Industry: A National Opportunity
James from LK Metrology, a manufacturer based in Castle Donington, emphasised the need for broader awareness and promotion of engineering careers. His company works closely with universities and colleges to highlight opportunities in metrology, a highly specialised area of engineering with significant demand.
“There are so many opportunities out there,” James noted. “We need a coordinated national campaign to show young people the range of careers available and the impact they can have.”
That message was echoed throughout the session, with participants calling for more visibility, community engagement, and storytelling to help the industry present itself in a more engaging and modern light.
Stronger Together: Building Networks and Sharing Ideas
The conversation wrapped up with an inspiring look at community collaboration. Several members highlighted upcoming events, like the Exactaform Factory Tour in Coventry this September, which offer practical opportunities to learn from each other and explore shared apprenticeship models.
As one participant summed it up, “The next generation is ready. We just need to meet them halfway, with opportunity, support, and a clear vision.”
Ready to Take Action?
If you're a manufacturer looking to connect with future talent, the message is clear: build relationships with schools and colleges, showcase the meaningful work you do, and champion apprenticeships that truly engage and inspire.
Want to learn more or get involved? Join us at one of the upcoming Made in events and be part of the conversation shaping the future of UK industry.