Eye Tea

How’s the exit strategy looking?  For many in the manufacturing sector the options are limited because there isn’t the flow of able, motivated youngsters coming through the industry.  You have a solid business with growth prospects, a skilled and local workforce, you could export, but no obvious successors or buyers.

The West Midlands has a formidable cluster of universities and colleges.  What does it take to attract them to the manufacturing sector and keep them here, at a budget that small/ medium manufacturers can realistically commit to?   Ideas:

• Join forces with other manufacturers eg via trade associations, the local Chamber.
• Do school/ college placements, knowledge transfer schemes.
• Rent equipment/ facilities to schools/ colleges.  (For a fee, or to get on their radar.)
• Offer expertise/ mentoring for local schools/ colleges.  (For a fee, if poss.)
• Offer modest sponsorship deals for schools/ colleges.
• Get onto Twitter and Facebook.  (Manage it carefully.)
• Risk-managed apprenticeship.
• Employee incentive schemes to encourage them in and upwards.