The See Inside Manufacturing imitative has been extended to include a total of 10 sectors.
Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced the See Inside Manufacturing (SIM) campaign to promote awareness about career in the manufacturing industry, has been extended in 2013 to include new sectors.
SIM facilitates a month-long period of factory tours for groups of schoolchildren (aged 11-19 years), teachers and parents in a bid to improve the image of manufacturing among young people and their key influencers in career decision making.
SIM was piloted in June 2011in the automotive sector. Thirty five companies took part, conducting over 100 open days.
In 2012, SIM was moved to the autumn and the aerospace industry and the food and drink industry joined in the imitative. 4,500 people visited factories via the scheme last year and a survey to capture the impact of the scheme showed that: 90% emerged from events with more positive views of manufacturing; 85% of young people said it would make them consider a career in manufacturing, and 85% of teachers and careers advisors said they would now explore scope for more regular engagement between students and local manufacturers.
This year, SIM will run throughout October and will include 10 sectors:
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Nuclear
- Oil & Gas
- Offshore Wind
- Construction
- Life Sciences
- Electronics
- Chemicals
- Food & drink
Commenting on the decision to extend SIM, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “See Inside Manufacturing plays an important part in challenging outdated perceptions of manufacturing. In the past year alone it has helped thousands of young people see just how dynamic the industry is, with nearly nine in ten saying they would now consider a career in manufacturing.”
The move was welcomed by industry and business support groups including EEF and the CBI. Katja Hall, CBI chief policy director, observed: “All of these sectors have identified skills shortages as a major challenge.” Involvement in SIM would help to address these skills shortfalls she explained.
In his announcement, Dr Cable also emphasized that the 2013 iteration of SIM would focus on reaching out to those who are under-represented in manufacturing, including women, ethnic minority groups and disabled young people.
