Careers in manufacturing

Emma-Louise What comes to mind when you think of manufacturing? Cars, robots, large factories? Well, those would be associations that make a lot of sense, but have you ever thought about the steel beams used for buildings or the microchips found in most electronic devices like computers or phones?

Frankie Think about it, every sector you could think of is dependent on some form of manufactured product, whether that's a computer or a hammer, a tennis ball, or a toothbrush. It makes manufacturing a crucial part of a healthy economy. And, more than that, a crucial part of all of our lives. Want to find out more?

Emma-Louise In the UK, the manufacturing sector employed just over 2,512,000 people as of 2020. Manufacturing jobs are spread all across the country and are especially significant in the economies of the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, Wales and the north-east of England.

Frankie There are so many career options within the sector, let's begin with…

Emma-Louise The people who work in factories and on manufacturing lines and actually help make items that consumers use on a daily basis.

Frankie They're referred to as assemblers and routine operatives. The median pay amongst assemblers is a little over £21,000 and there's a projected growth of 4% in the number of job roles available by 2025.

Emma-Louise Another example of a manufacturing job is welding. Welders are specialist metal workers. They have a median pay of just over £25,500. There's a projected growth in jobs of 3% by 2025. But what kind of environment do manufacturing staff work in? Some roles in the sector involve working with and around specialist equipment, which requires extra care to make sure everyone is operating safely with the machinery. This is where health and safety officers come in.

Emma-Louise They earn a median annual salary of just under £36,000, with a projected 1% growth in the number of roles by 2025.

Frankie Vu And then there's the people who transport parts to the factory and products away from the factories – van drivers. As of 2020, there were just under 25,000 jobs, with a projected growth of 5% by 2025. They have a median pay of £20,500 per year.

Emma-Louise And this is just a small selection of the different job options available in the manufacturing sector. There are so many different routes and ways to a career in manufacturing. Let's take a look for the examples we've mentioned.

Frankie When it comes to van driving, you can do an apprenticeship or apply directly for the role. You'll usually need basic English and maths skills, the correct licence that allows you to drive the vehicles required, and a good driving record.

Emma-Louise Becoming an assembler has similar pathways. This too is a job that can be applied for directly, or you could do an apprenticeship. When you apply directly you may be required to do a short test at the interview stage that checks your practical skills, and some employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 or equivalent.

Frankie For an intermediate apprenticeship you'll usually need some GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English.

Emma-Louise As for welding, there are few ways of getting into the trade. You could achieve your qualification through a college course, such as a Level 2 Award in Welding Skills, a Level 2 Award in Welding Techniques and Skills, or Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology.

Frankie The entry requirements for these are two or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 or equivalent for a Level 2 course, or four to five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 or equivalent for level 3 course.

Emma-Louise You can also apply for an apprenticeship, such as a general welder intermediate apprenticeship or take a course through The Welding Institute.

Frankie There are also various different ways to become a health and safety officer. It's possible to take the university route, or to train online or in the workplace for qualifications awarded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Emma-Louise It's also possible to take an apprenticeship route recognised by the same institute. It can take about 24 months to complete, and the entry requirements are usually four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, or equivalent, depending which level of apprenticeship you're applying for.

Frankie You can also do approved courses whilst you're working through providers such as the British Safety Council and National Compliance and Risk Qualifications, NCRQ. Let's hear from someone who's been working in the industry. Kezia is a technical manager in a manufacturing factory in Norfolk. "My role is so varied, no day is the same. You never know where there may be a problem to fix in the factory or an enquiry from a customer that needs responding to. I enjoy the mixture of working in the office and also being in the factory. You need to enjoy problem solving and working as part of a team, as well as being able to work on projects on your own."

Emma-Louise Mamta is a professor and design engineer working in manufacturing. "Manufacturing engineers touch every aspect of life – they make, shape and innovate to ensure that our lives are more comfortable and enjoyable. Manufacturing engineering is both technical and scientific, requiring the person to be very creative, while solving often very difficult problems. I have worked in the consumer engineering and manufacturing sector for over 15 years and find it extremely rewarding and exciting as I understand products in a technical way.

Emma-Louise This sector offers opportunities to travel globally and the chance to see how things are made and how you can make things better." The world of manufacturing holds many different opportunities and plays an important part in everyone's day-to-day life.

Frankie There are roles available in the manufacture of vehicles, computers, clothes, food and drink, furniture, and so many others. So, wherever your interests lie, there may well be a part of the sector that interests you.

Emma-Louise And, with most areas of manufacturing expecting to see a rise in the number of jobs available by 2025, now is the time to start researching.