45 www.drives.co.uk February 2025 The future of the UK’s manufacturing sector hinges on having a wellequipped workforce ready to tackle the technological advances and challenges of tomorrow. Central to this vision is the need to inspire the next generation of engineers and individuals passionate about STEM. Simultaneously, upskilling the current workforce is paramount to ensure that the UK remains competitive on the global stage. These eorts align closely with the government’s industrial strategy, aimed at bolstering productivity and driving innovation. As a STEM ambassador myself, I am passionate about inspiring young minds to pursue careers in engineering and STEM. This is critical for several reasons: n Innovation and problem-solving Engineers and STEM professionals are the backbone of innovation, developing answers to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. By motivating young individuals to enter these elds, we pave the way for continued advances in technology, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and more. n The economic strength of our country. The engineering and STEM sectors are signicant contributors to the economy. By fostering interest and skills in these areas, the UK can sustain and enhance its economic growth. Future engineers and STEM professionals will drive industries forward, creating jobs and stimulating economic activity. n Diverse perspectives A STEM workforce fosters creativity and enhanced problemsolving. Encouraging a broad range of individuals, including under-represented groups, to pursue STEM careers enriches the industry and leads to more innovative solutions. As technology evolves, nations must remain at the forefront of scientic and engineering advances. By nurturing young talent, the UK can maintain its global competitiveness and continue to lead in cutting-edge industries. While inspiring the next generation is crucial, it is equally important to focus on upskilling the current workforce. The manufacturing sector is undergoing a transformation, driven by technologies such as articial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT). To harness these advances, the existing workforce must be equipped with the necessary skills. As new technologies are integrated into manufacturing processes, workers need to adapt. Upskilling ensures that they can use and manage new tools eectively, leading to increased eciency and productivity. By acquiring new skills, workers enhance their employability and job security. In an evolving industry, those who can demonstrate prociency in emerging technologies are more likely to retain their positions and advance in their careers. The UK government’s industrial strategy emphasises the importance of building a highskilled economy to drive productivity and growth. This strategy includes investments in education and training, support for innovation, and eorts to create a business environment conducive to growth. By focusing on inspiring the next generation of engineers and upskilling the current workforce, the manufacturing sector can align with, and contribute to, this strategy. At Gambica, we recognised this and kickstarted our “young council”a few years ago. We have just rebranded the council to Gambica NextGen – a more tting name for a group that has developed into a cross-industry benchmark for enthusiastic future leaders. Gambica NextGen is made up of 18 individuals covering all ve of Gambica’s sectors. They have been hard at work developing initiatives aligned to our strategic goals. Three main working groups have been formed – Upskilling, Sustainability and STEM. Building on their fresh identity and collective drive, Gambica NextGen will continue to broaden their knowledge and inuence, becoming the next generation of leaders within the Gambica community. To learn more about what this fantastic group are achieving – or, better still, to get involved – please get in touch with a Gambica member of sta, or check out our Web site or LinkedIn presence. Inspiring the next generation of engineers and STEM learners, along with upskilling the current workforce, is vital for the future of the UK manufacturing sector. These eorts not only contribute to economic growth and innovation, but also align with the government’s industrial strategy, positioning the UK as a leader in the global market. By prioritising education, training, and development, the UK can build a resilient and forward-looking manufacturing sector, poised for success. n * Gambica is the trade association for the automation, control, instrumentation and laboratory technology sectors in the UK. You can get in touch with Nikesh Mistry on 020 7642 8094 or nikesh.mistry@gambica.org.uk, or via the Gambica Web site: www.gambica.org.uk Inspiring the next generation is vital to our manufacturing future If the UK’s manufacturing sector is to have vibrant future, we have to attract a new generation of enthusiastic young workers, as well as upskilling the existing workforce, where necessary. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, argues that this will position the UK as a leader in the global market.
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