UK manufacturing lacks management skills

The greatest skills gap in the UK manufacturing sector lies in general management, research suggests.

In a survey of 400 interim managers specialising in manufacturing, commissioned by interim management provider Russam GMS, 86% of respondents said there is an industry-wide skills shortage. More than half believe that the greatest skills gap is in general management.

One in five also thought that employees with change management skills were needed, and 18% felt there was a lack of good project management skills in the industry. Respondents also bemoaned a lack of skilled employees.

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John Wilson, head of manufacturing practice at Russam GMS, said: “One cause for concern is the significant skills shortage which appears to be particularly pronounced at managerial level.

“While this is good news for interim managers in terms of generating good employment prospects, it is an issue that needs addressing now if UK manufacturing companies want to retain their competitive edge,” he said.