Make UK: Retaining Talent in the Manufacturing Industry

Investing in Young People

Backing a new initiative by support platform Next Gen Maker, Make UK aims to help manufacturing and engineering employers retain apprenticeship talent and maximise investment in young people. 

Being an official training provider partner, Make UK’s efforts, as part of the new initiative, will promote and develop the ‘Engineering Apprenticeships: Best Practice Programme’. The initiative is designed to support organisations in overcoming skills challenges, as well as build talent for future success.

“We know through our members that retaining young talent is just as much of a challenge as attracting them in the first place - and when a business has invested time and money in a young person, they want to see the long-term benefits, as well as helping the sector bridge the skills gap we currently face,” said Stephen Mitchell, Director of Apprentices and Technical Training at Make UK.

A First for the UK Manufacturing and Engineering Industry

Regarded as a first for the industry, the programme is said to equip manufacturers with the tools needed to plan, attract and retain apprentices. 

The programme will feature multiple best practice resources, as well as peer to peer discussion forums for manufacturers and engineers of all sizes to replicate proven methods that others in the industry have successfully used for their apprenticeship schemes. 

Each year, Make UK welcomes more than 400 apprentices to its world-class technology hub in Aston, Birmingham. These apprentices come from organisations such as Jaguar Land Rover, Severn Trent, Ishida and Ibstock.

“We are delighted to have an organisation like Make UK endorsing and partnering with the programme. As the leading national manufacturing representative body and a Training facility, their insight and experience of apprenticeships is unparalleled and invaluable. Our first cohort of 20 manufacturers who’ve signed up to the Engineering Apprenticeships: Best Practice Programme met for the first time online last month, and we had very positive feedback from attendees - the future is bright,” added Adam Tipper, Managing Director at Next Gen Makers.