Lord Digby Jones calls for the print industry to engage with schools

Lord Digby Jones calls for the print industry to engage with schools

As Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for process and manufacturing, launches four new Schools Into Industry Programmes (SIIP’s), Lord Digby Jones, former CBI head, challenges print manufacturers to play their part in strengthening the future of manufacturing by engaging with local schools.

British manufacturing, and with it the economy, has suffered hugely in the past few years, and positive action is needed to rebuild the status of British manufacturing as a global leader. The message for this is simple: the UK not only needs to invest in manufacturing’s current workforce but in its future workforce as well.  

In order achieve this, Lord Digby Jones has stressed the importance of attracting younger students into the world of manufacturing: “The UK will only get itself out of this economic mess if it trades its way out and sells its goods around the world. That means manufacturing! It is essential we have an education system which delivers young people who want to build careers in manufacturing and who have the skills and mind set to do so. 

?“That means encouraging businesses around the country to liaise with their local schools and introduce teenagers to the fascinating and worthwhile career opportunities in the vibrant and successful manufacturing sector. There has never been a better time to change this country’s attitude and it is up to businesses to accept the challenge.“

Jones lends his support to Proskills as they look to engage with schools and employers to take part in the curriculum mapped SIIP, PrintIt!, which aims to educate and excite students towards a career within the print industry.