Manufacturing

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The industry in a nutshell

Although the UK is the world’s sixth largest manufacturer by output, some sectors within British manufacturing have, for some time now, been characterised by declining employment and productivity. A major challenge comes from emerging economies which are able to produce goods more cheaply than the UK. The global economic slowdown, rising energy and materials costs have also affected manufacturers.

However, it is believed that modern British manufacturing can thrive by playing to its strengths of design, technology, creativity, innovation and service. To do this successfully, British manufacturing needs a constant stream of well-qualified and multi-skilled graduates. Globalisation also offers new opportunities with the discovery of new markets.

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What kind of work can I do?

Opportunities for graduates are available in:

• research and development - scientists, engineers, market researchers;
• design - design engineers;
• production - plant and production managers, human resources professionals, quality assurance professionals, process engineers;
• distribution and logistics management;
• marketing and sales - marketing, advertising and sales executives, accountants;
• finance - accountants, administrators, procurement professionals, purchasing managers;
• IT.

What’s it like working in this industry?

• Over the past decade, British manufacturing has become increasingly hi-tech, resulting in more standardised working hours and better conditions of service for employees.
• Some of the best opportunities are in engineering, but this profession is still heavily male-dominated. Opportunities in business and sales are more evenly balanced between the sexes.
• Graduate starting salaries range from £14,000 to £23,000, and from £25,000 to £38,000 after training (Graduate Recruitment Bureau, 2009).
• Working environments vary considerably from offices to noisy factories and industrial plants, depending on the role.

How big is this industry?

The industry is huge, employing around three million people. It accounts for 15% of UK gross domestic product (GDP) and 55% of total exports (Confederation of British Industry (CBI), 2009).

It encompasses a wide range of industries, including:

• Aerospace - manufacture, maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft and spacecraft.
• Biotechnology - concerned with the application of knowledge about living organisms and their components to industrial products and processes.
• Chemicals - manufacture of pharmaceuticals, paints, toiletries, varnishes, plastics, synthetic rubber and industrial gases.
• Clothing and footwear - production of materials such as leather and textiles; product design; manufacture of clothes and footwear.
• Electrical equipment - manufacture of a wide range of products for everyday use, including office machinery, computer equipment, TV and radio receivers, control apparatus and electricity distribution.
• Electronics - creation, design, production and sale of electronic systems, components and equipment.
• Food and drink - manufacture of all beverages and food including bakery, meat and poultry.
• Marine - production, maintenance and repair of ships, submarines, boats and marine equipment.
• Metals and engineered metal products - production, processing and distribution of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including the recycling of the materials at the end of their useful life.
• Pharmaceuticals - development and production of products that treat common and life-threatening illnesses and ailments.
• Polymers - four discrete process areas: plastics processing; rubber processing; polymer composite processing; and sign making.
• Process manufacturing - production of building products, coatings, extractives, glass, printing and paper and furniture.

See the relevant professional bodies and Sector Skills Councils in contacts and resources for more information.

Where can I work?

Opportunities are available throughout the UK, although some industries tend to be concentrated in one or more regions. For example:

• aerospace has a heavier presence around the Bristol area;
• biotechnology and pharmaceuticals companies are concentrated on the east coast of Scotland and in South-East England;
• motor vehicle construction takes place largely in the Midlands;
• oil and gas related industries are concentrated in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.

For information on working overseas, see opportunities abroad.