Could your skills open new doors in manufacturing?
Manufacturing companies are desperate for skilled workers. trade body the confederation of British industry says there is a crisis in science, technology, maths and engineering skills in manufacturing, where more than half of businesses are not confident of finding people with higher-level skills.
forensic and analytical science student Hannah Lavinia Smith, 21, says: ‘i never imagined finding a place for my lab skills in manufacturing. i saw the internship online and was interested straight away.’
Hannah spent last year working with chemicals and detergents manufacturer christeyns in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
She says: ‘i was doing quality control, testing cleaning liquids, laundry products and concrete additives. i had some lab skills from my course at Huddersfield university but christeyns gave me training in the specific skills required.
‘i enjoyed the responsibility. as well as working in the lab i went into the production unit to test the pH of products and make adjustments. finding solutions to problems was really rewarding.
‘it opened my eyes to jobs in manufacturing. there are so many opportunities in the industry. i’d encourage others to look at careers in the sector.’
nick garthwaite, managing director at christeyns, says: ‘We want young people to see manufacturing as a desirable career. When recruiting we consider academic success, but more important is the ability to fit well with our culture.’
christeyns’s apprentice, intern and work experience programmes offer higher- than- average apprentice wages and starting salaries of around £20,000.
Bradford Manufacturing Week, a West & north Yorkshire chamber initiative, is promoting the manufacturing industry from October 8-12, aiming to create 1,000 work placements and attract schools to special events. See bradfordmanufacturingweek.co.uk