Industry Employment Turbulence: Q&A with Gavin Day, Masonite

In his role, Gavin Day develops and implements a leadership development programme, an employee engagement structure and team development activities across Masonite's UK organisation.

This includes establishing the Masonite Academy, which offers internal learning and development programs for employees at all levels, as well as STEM and financial education programs for the local community. 

Having spent 20 years in learning and organisational development across a variety of industries, he has seen how businesses can provide solid foundations and opportunities by partnering with colleges to develop impactful courses.

Here, we chat to Gavin about talent recruitment and the impact of reindustrialisation on manufacturing. 

What is the current state of hiring in the UK manufacturing sector?

The UK manufacturing sector is currently experiencing an unsettled landscape. Historical declines in manufacturing employment were halted by a recent drive for new talent as demand for consumer goods increased since 2020.

However, the recent cost-of-living crisis has significantly impacted industries such as construction, causing knock-on effects for manufacturers of construction products.

Both sectors are facing similar hiring challenges in the UK. A report by the Construction Products Association predicts that construction will lose a quarter of its workforce (around 500,000 workers) in the next 10 to 15 years due to the fact that most employees are within the 50 to 64 age bracket, with manufacturing likely sharing the same fate.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of green shoots in the industry, evidenced by Make UK’s latest quarterly index. Businesses are looking to hire, with recruitment intentions up from 8% to 26%, yet a shortage of skills will put a cap on vital growth.

What is the biggest factor driving the lack of movement from the younger generation into manufacturing careers?

The rise of economic inactivity among young people is a concerning trend for many industries, with 248,000 more inactive in the UK this year than last. This is a massive pool of untapped talent but a lack of education surrounding the manufacturing industry is hindering great employment potential.

Recent research revealed that almost half of UK students have never received information about a career in manufacturing and that three in five people are unlikely to consider a career in the sector. This lack of understanding is holding younger people back from fantastic, high skill, high wage jobs.

The private sector must be doing more to partner with local schools and provide early career support to establish manufacturing work as a viable and attractive option for future workers.

What role can education play in challenging misconceptions about the manufacturing industry?

A common view I hear from young adults entering the world of work is that manufacturing and construction sectors are manual labour with limited opportunities for progression. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Partnering with schools can help debunk this misconception at an early age by broadening the horizons of what a career in manufacturing can look like. Careers education cannot merely be tacked onto the end of secondary school but bedded in gradually.

What is the Masonite Academy and how could its blueprint be extended across the UK?

The Masonite Academy was launched back in 2019 with the aim of engaging young people from the local area and developing their knowledge and experience in the world of manufacturing. We now have a two-pronged approach, targeting both schools and colleges to integrate vocational training into every stage of the education process.

We partner with local schools to implement career development into their curriculum, helping students to develop their CV and giving them advice on what paths are available, as well as explaining what it’s like to work in the industry.

Our second approach is partnering with colleges to train apprentices in both Finance and Accounting and Engineering, ensuring that the next generation of manufacturers are prepared for the workforce. We employ between one and three graduates every year, but our other learners go on to lead successful careers in related fields whether they end up at Masonite or not.

The Academy also stretches internally, ensuring the skills of our current employees are developed, creating a stronger future for all.

This relatively simple blueprint of large manufacturing firms actively facilitating a transformation to vocational education, can create a stronger pipeline of staff to propel the industry forward and meet an increased demand.

What results have you seen from the Masonite Academy and how is it helping to diversify the manufacturing sector? 

Since its inception, 300 students have already progressed through the Masonite Academy with plans in place to welcome many more to help produce the North of England's next generation of skilled young workers. 

We are incredibly proud to highlight the achievements of successful women who have risen through the ranks of Masonite Academy. Natalia Duda is a prime example. She joined us five years ago through our Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship after relocating from Poland. Since then, Natalia has progressed from an Administrative Assistant to recently being promoted to the UK Integrated Management System Lead.

Despite such successes, diversity in manufacturing remains a significant challenge. The industry needs more women to lead the way and dismantle gender barriers.

The upcoming push in recruitment presents a valuable opportunity for employers to diversify their talent pools and transform the industry.

How is the revival of UK manufacturing challenging regional inequalities?

The manufacturing sector's hopeful resurgence can play a major role in evening out wealth distribution across the country by bringing economic growth into regions which have been disadvantaged by a lack of employment prospects.

Masonite’s key operating hubs are in traditionally working-class areas and we take pride in recruiting from these communities and reinvesting in the local area to boost the local economy.

This local-first thinking can in turn help supercharge the wider UK economy after a period of turbulence.

What do you think of the idea that emerging technologies, like AI and virtual twins for example, have a critical role to play in attracting the next generation of talent?

The next generation of talent entering the workforce will have grown up with technology as an integral part of their lives and will expect the latest tech to be integrated in their working environment. Expectations of using this tech for good will also be commonplace.

Our new state of the art hub in Stoke-on-Trent is a great example of how manufacturing can embrace change and avoid being stuck in the past.

From the energy generated by the solar panels on the roof, to the electric vehicle charging spots up front that power our fully electric forklift trucks, the plant is part of our commitment to a greener future.

What do you think of reindustrialisation and its impact on employment?

In theory, reindustrialisation clearly benefits the sector and will welcome in a large swathe of new jobs, especially in areas which have been hampered by a lack of opportunities as the modern economy has shifted to a reliance on finance and service industries.

However, any reindustrialisation strategy must have at its heart a solution for the UK’s current skills gap otherwise we will continue to see the same recruitment issues plaguing our industries as we do today.

What are Masonite's plans for the next 12 months? 

Masonite is now proudly part of the Owens Corning family, a global manufacturing leader. The partnership between these two leading organisations will only strength Masonite UK’s ability to further develop manufacturing talent, both internally and externally.

As a manufacturer committed to nurturing future talent in our industry, I urge other businesses looking to make a difference to consider taking the first step by partnering with local schools or colleges.

Engaging with students and advocating for STEM programs can make a huge difference in building a skilled and innovative workforce for the future.

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