This paper reports the results of a nationally representative survey of how the UK public views manufacturing, carried out in January 2012, providing for the first time an evidence base for the discussion on the image of manufacturing in the UK.
Much of this discussion to date has been anecdotal, with little formal evidence on how public opinion has changed towards manufacturing over time.
According to successive governments the image of manufacturing is a major issue. Even before the credit crisis ministers and leaders in industry worried that younger people would not be attracted to careers in manufacturing due to how it was perceived by the public at large. Following the credit crisis and the continuing problems in the financial sector, manufacturing is now back in vogue. From the Prime Minister down the rebalancing of the economy through strengthening manufacturing is thought to be a key element of achieving more sustainable growth.
The results of the survey indicate that the public have a nuanced view of manufacturing. The UK public believe manufacturing to be high tech (50% agree) and that the share of manufacturing in the economy needs to increase significantly (72% agree). However, there is low agreement that manufacturing jobs are well paid (16% agree) and a concern that manufacturing jobs are the first to be moved overseas (74% agree).
The results of the survey suggest a number of areas where the UK government may need to place greater emphasis if it is to be successful in its long term aim of rebalancing the economy.
♦ Efforts to improve the image of manufacturing should acknowledge that the public has a clear image of manufacturing as being high technology and demanding high levels of skills.
♦ Future campaigns on manufacturing need to address the current public narrative of low wages and low job security so that careers in manufacturing are represented accurately.
♦ The public agrees (62%) that sectors of national importance should be targeted.
♦ Only 29% of the public currently agree that government understands what is needed to strengthen and grow the economy.
Compared to the United States, the public in the UK are less positive about jobs in manufacturing, with lower levels of agreement on whether manufacturing is well paid, highly skilled and high tech. Whereas one in three American respondents would encourage their child to pursue a career in manufacturing, only 1 in 5 UK respondents would do the same.
This report provides an evidence base for the ongoing conversation on the role of manufacturing in the economy. However it does not argue for a specific position on rebalancing. The aim of the paper is to ensure that the dialogue on manufacturing policy is well informed and based on the best evidence available.
