Member Article

North East manufacturing must address ageing workforce

North East manufacturing must work hard to attract more youngsters to its aging workforce, industry leaders discussed this week.

A roundtable discussion, hosted by Tait Walker, saw manufacturing bosses debate the issues impacting the region’s sector, that included skills in the workforce, competitiveness and access to finance.

The leaders present stressed the importance of attracting young people to the industry, and some suggested schools need to reframe attitudes towards manufacturing careers in order to encourage bright students to pursue jobs in the sector.

A lively debate also occured on how the North East should best approach competitiveness in the face of labour and production cost competition from emerging markets.

Businesses and industry bodies debated the true value of innovating to stay ahead of competition, and many contributing factors to competitiveness were acknowledged to be “bigger issues than the region.”

Key influencers in the North East were present including the NECC, Newcastle University, Nissan suppliers, Tees Valley Unlimited, SEMTA and EEF.

Ford Aerospace chairman Geoff Ford spoke at length around a number of key issues on the morning’s agenda.

He said: “I’m delighted by Tait Walker’s interest in manufacturing and wish there were more organisations which took such an interest in supporting the sector. It’s been an interesting discussion and great to get so many views from different kinds of manufacturing companies.”

Ebac Group’s Pamela Petty added: “Manufacturing is the only way we can turn our economy around, but in order to do this we need Government intervention, to help level the global economy and invest in British Manufacturing.”

Tait Walker Partner, David Arthur, chaired the discussion, which also touched upon Lord Heseltine’s recent report.

He added: “The manufacturing sector is so important to Tait Walker because we understand its importance to our region. It is a thriving industry, which we are privileged to be able to play some part in.

“It’s clear from today that there is still much to be done in terms of getting the sector back on its feet in the North East, but we are confident the drive and passion that the region is renowned for will help it find its voice, putting it firmly on the map as a force to be reckoned with both nationally and globally.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .