Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • Maternity & Paternity
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • Maternity & Paternity
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Economics, government & businessLatest NewsDepartment for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)HR strategySkills shortages

Government moves to help manufacturers build shiny new image

by Louisa Peacock 8 Sep 2008
by Louisa Peacock 8 Sep 2008

Manufacturing HR directors have backed a government shake-up to boost the sector’s image at a time when job losses and factory closures are dominating the headlines.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will publish guidance early this week, following consultation with business groups including the CBI, on how to improve the public perception of a career in manufacturing – from how employers advertise jobs to how the sector is promoted in schools.

The strategy will also highlight commercial opportunities in developing low-carbon parts and products.

Richard Brailsford, HR director at wood-care products firm Ronseal told Personnel Today: “Manufacturing has a reputation for being difficult, heavy, and unpleasant [work]. In the education system the only way manufacturing gets a look-in is as part of the history syllabus – about mills in the 1800s and people getting their limbs ripped off.”

But in the modern environment there are many manufacturing jobs that involve the use of computers and which are not labour-intensive, he said.

Colin Atkin, HR manager at can-making machinery firm Carnaudmetalbox Engineering, agreed there was a stereotype among younger workers that manufacturing work was grim.

And Ivan Shearer, head of HR at aerospace engineering giant BAE Systems, said HR could play a key role in revitalising the industry by encouraging a variety of entry routes, from apprenticeships to mature-entry schemes.

“There are particularly negative images associated with manufacturing and it’s perceived as a poor career option,” said Shearer. “We need to focus on the technology associated with manufacturing, our proud tradition and the variety of career options it offers.”

The report comes hot on the heels of news that activity in the sector, which employs three million people in the UK, fell for the fourth consecutive month in August, raising fears of a full-blown recession.

Manufacturing accounts for about 15% of British GDP.

Steve Radley, chief economist at manufacturers’ organisation the EEF, said: “The report recognises the contribution manufacturing makes. Everyone’s got a role [to boost manufacturing] it is not sensible to leave it to the government.”

Avatar
Louisa Peacock

previous post
Men’s health in the workplace: time for a new approach
next post
Weight Watchers at work sparks plea for sensitivity

You may also like

Working from home statistics show three-fold increase

20 May 2022

Statutory sick pay reforms would save £4bn

19 May 2022

Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems

19 May 2022

Steep rise in visas for non-EU migrant workers

19 May 2022

One in five employers planning ‘no jab no...

19 May 2022

BNP Paribas banker accused of ’emotional terrorism’ wins...

19 May 2022

How should HR handle the highest inflation in...

18 May 2022

How to respond to an HMRC furlough enquiry

18 May 2022

AI adoption: Skills shortages means UK lagging behind...

18 May 2022

Nurses leaving due to pressure and workplace culture

18 May 2022
  • Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems PROMOTED | Apprenticeships have the pulling power...Read more
  • What it really means to be mentally fit PROMOTED | What is mental fitness...Read more
  • How music can help to ease anxiety at work PROMOTED | A lot has happened since March 2020, hasn’t it?...Read more
  • Why now is the time to plug the unhealthy gap PROMOTED | We’ve all heard the term ‘health is wealth’...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • Maternity & Paternity
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+