NextGen is an Gambica initiative, now in its fourth year, aimed at members who are in the first ten years of their industrial careers. I spoke to Adam Bakewell, Weidmuller’s business development manager for energy, about his experiences as a council member. Adam works on photovoltaic, hydrogen and wind technologies, focusing on utility‑scale and solar rooftop solar installations, and expanding Weidmuller’s brand in these sectors. Mistry: So Adam what first motivated you to join Gambica NextGen? Bakewell: I wanted to mix with peers from other companies and sectors, share experiences and learn new approaches. Being relatively early in my career and having worked at only a couple of places, NextGen felt like a low‑risk way to broaden my network and try new ideas – I tend to say “yes” to opportunities, until I don’t. Mistry: How has NextGen developed your understanding of the wider industry? Bakewell: The group brings together people with a similar mindset across different companies, which has exposed me to alternative structures, mentorship models and upskilling initiatives that I wouldn’t otherwise have seen. I’ve been able to share those practices back at work – for example, ideas around mentorship and the upskilling pledge – so even if I can’t implement everything immediately, those concepts are now on the radar for future change. Mistry: Why are initiatives like NextGen “important long term? Bakewell: NextGen turns concept into action. It gives members the power in numbers to tackle the skills shortage and raise STEM visibility. For me, it’s about creating realistic, visible pathways into engineering – including apprenticeships and employer‑sponsored HND/degree routes – so young people see achievable careers that don’t always require going straight to university. Mistry: What have you done for NextGen, and what’s next? Bakewell: I’ve been helping with LinkedIn promotion to make NextGen less daunting and more visible, and I’m moving into the STEM working group to push school outreach. My priority for the year is to get into primary and secondary schools with simple, engaging scientist/engineer sessions and to build a clearer public record of what NextGen does so potential members can see the value quickly. Mistry: You’ve been part of our NextGen a while now: any standout events? Bakewell: A visit to a chocolate factory at JJA Pack in Rotherham would be standout for me – not just learning about the processing behind chocolate and the way Jamie has made it exciting to learn about manufacturing, but actually making chocolate was definitely a highlight. Events like that, plus speaker slots at exhibitions, being part of your panels, and hands‑on visits, make the group tangible and fun, and they help people say “yes” to getting involved even when it feels uncomfortable. Gambica NextGen combines practical outreach, peer learning and simple promotion: clear pathways, visible role models and better communication to help close skills gaps faster than isolated efforts. Managers, this is a call to you. If you manage individuals who you feel could excel and benefit from a powerful initiative such as this, please visit the NextGen section of Gambica’s Web site (www.gambica.org.uk/ activities/nexxtgen) and nominate them! Or if you feel you fit the criteria, register yourself! To find out more, please contact nikesh.mistry@gambica.org.uk n What is the NextGen initiative all about? Four years ago, Gambica* launched an initiative, called the NextGen Council, designed to give a more prominent voice to young employees of member companies who are starting out on their careers. Nikesh Mistry, Gambica’s sector head for industrial automation, spoke to one member of the council – Weidmuller’s Adam Bakewell (below left) – about his experiences so far. “Being relatively early in my career and having worked at only a couple of places, NextGen felt like a low‑risk way to broaden my network” * 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 www.drivesncontrols.com April 2026 45
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=