British manufacturing companies will be opening their doors in a UK-wide Open House on 7 July to celebrate National Manufacturing Day and give their local communities the chance to see first-hand the potential careers and jobs on offer in the industry. The aim is to encourage all age groups from school leavers to more experienced workers looking at re-skilling to consider a career in manufacturing.

Companies from aerospace to food and drink will showcase their production operations, how their company works and to host a series of fun events throughout the day. Visitors will be able to talk directly to members of staff about how a particular company works and what opportunities there might be available for them in that business.

To make it easy to see what is going on, Make UK has created a dedicated microsite (www.nationalmanufacturingday.org) where companies taking part will post what they produce and detail the events they are planning for National Manufacturing Day itself. Schools and local residents interested in seeing what is available in their area will be able to search the site using a simple postcode finder, to pinpoint those businesses closest to them and allow them to pick out something which they will find the most interesting.

Manufacturing covers a wide range of sectors including aerospace, engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical, food and drink, defence, automotive and renewable technologies. So there will definitely be something around on the day to interest everyone.

We will also demonstrate the value of a manufacturing apprenticeship as an alternative route after school or college as a way to “earn as you learn” — taking a young person all the way to a university degree for those who want to.

On the day, Make UK will host a special event at its Technology Hub in Birmingham where it will be looking to show how to start a career in the manufacturing sector and highlight the organisation’s commitment to apprenticeships to create the skilled workforce of the future.

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, said: “This is a really exciting day where the whole manufacturing sector will come together to celebrate the amazing things that Britain designs and makes. During the pandemic, Britain’s manufacturers stayed open to keep the country running and switched production almost overnight to make vital medical supplies.

“But this industry is agile and exciting all of the time, not just in times of crisis. Our companies are at the forefront of global renewable technology development and some of the most innovative engineering developments seen anywhere around the world.

“This is a sector with amazing opportunities and we hope this first National Manufacturing Day will give people, who have never seen inside their local businesses, the opportunity to see what is going on and the opportunities available to them.”