Five young people from Salford have gained first-hand experience of working in manufacturing after visiting industrial packaging manufacturer WERIT’s Greater Manchester operation.
The 16 to 18-year-olds visited WERIT’s Irlam facility after completing a five-week manufacturing course through Salford City Council’s Build Salford programme, an initiative that aims to encourage young people to pursue apprenticeships and other routes into employment by connecting them with local employers.
The visit comes as youth unemployment in Salford continues to rise. The number of 16 to 24-year-olds claiming unemployment-related benefits increased from 1,860 in July 2025 to 2,060 in July 2026 – a year-on-year increase of 10.8%.
For the trainees, the WERIT visit provided an opportunity to see how the skills covered during their course translate into a real manufacturing environment. The group toured the company’s production facility and factory floor, where they learned about machinery, production, warehousing, logistics and health and safety. They also met WERIT employees and heard how individuals with different educational and employment backgrounds had progressed into manufacturing careers.
Sunny Prakash, Managing Director of WERIT UK, said the experience was intended to give young people a realistic understanding of what manufacturers look for when recruiting.
Qualifications and experience are important, but they are only part of what employers look for.
Attitude, reliability, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work as part of a team matter just as much. Young people entering manufacturing may not have all the skills or experience on day one, but if they bring the right attitude and are prepared to learn, employers can help them develop those skills and build a worthwhile career.
Sunny Prakash, Managing Director of WERIT UK
Prakash also shared his own career journey with the group, explaining that he was uncertain about his future at 18 before working in a warehouse while studying and subsequently progressing through different roles into manufacturing management.
Other WERIT employees shared similarly varied routes into the sector. One employee joined the company as a production operator after working in retail before progressing through the business and completing a Level 3 electrical and mechanical engineering apprenticeship. Another moved into manufacturing after a career in transport and logistics.
WERIT said the examples demonstrated that manufacturing careers extend well beyond traditional production roles, with opportunities across engineering, logistics, management and other business functions. The experience also appeared to reinforce manufacturing as a potential career path for the young visitors.
Aidan, 18, who is currently looking for employment, said: “I enjoyed the course and the factory visit. I would be interested in finding a job in a factory like this. I want something where I can use my hands, whether that’s in a warehouse or on the factory floor.”
Kaleb, 17, who is due to attend college in September, said the practical nature of the visit suited his preferred way of learning.
“I learn by doing and being shown,” he said. “Seeing how the machines work and how everyone works together, with that constant flow, was probably the most interesting part.”
The trainees also witnessed an unplanned example of manufacturing problem-solving when a machine stopped during the tour. Employees worked together to resolve the issue and restart production within minutes.
Cllr Michele Barnes, lead member for Skills, Work, Workforce and Industrial Relations at Salford City Council, said employers had an important role to play in showing young people where their skills could lead.
“By opening its doors, WERIT has given these young people more than a factory tour. It allowed them to experience a working manufacturing environment, meet people who have built careers through different routes, and see opportunities they can realistically pursue,” she said.
Prakash added that manufacturers needed to take practical action to address the sector’s skills shortage, rather than just “talk about the challenge.”
“Bringing young people, training providers and employers together gives young people the confidence and practical insight to make informed choices about their future. At the same time, it allows employers like us to play an active role in developing the skills and talent manufacturing will need for the years ahead,” he said.
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