UK public sees engineering sector as 'low-skilled'
11 Jun 2012
London – Most UK adults believe the country’s industrial sector is important, but many regard manufacturing and engineering as low-skilled sectors, according to a survey carried out for CadenceFisher, an industrial communications firm.
Around 80% of respondents said that manufacturing and industry should be given even greater importance and that the skills associated with industry are critical to the future of the workforce, found the Annual Attitudes to UK Industry survey
The research, conducted among 2,000 adults by Populus, also found that 72% believe that realigning the economy to achieve a greater balance between the contribution of the industrial and service sectors is key to helping the country out of debt.
The findings show that industry needs to continue to clear up misconceptions that engineering and manufacturing are unattractive sectors to work in, according to Dan Doherty, CEO of CadenceFisher.
“Too few people surveyed said they would actively encourage people to work in the [industrial] sector,” he commented. “We need to elevate industry’s status if we are to achieve the rebalance that many commentators say we need for our economic revival.”
The Annual Attitudes to UK Industry study will be a series of snapshot polls and in-depth research culminating in an annual report to be presented at an industry event, said CadenceFisher.
