05.06.2025

Yesterday, Make UK hosted a 'drop-in' session for MPs to learn about the key issues around skills facing manufacturers. 

During the event at Portcullis House, Westminster, members of Parliament were briefed on the findings of our Industrial Strategy Skills Commission's report and the problem areas of the skills system. 

We also outlined how the Government can fix things through the upcoming industrial strategy, by committing to: 

  • Ringfencing revenue from the Growth and Skills Levy and Immigration Skills Charge for skills funding.
  • Supporting education providers to offer high-value training for young people.
  • Ensuring conditions are right to enable employers to invest in the skills they need to grow.
  • Buidling for the future with a strategy fit to meet the challenges and opportunities around AI, adult skills training and careers education for young people.

The members also got to speak to a group of Ibstock plc apprentices (pictured below with Sarah Coombes MP), who are learners at Make UK's Technology Hub in Birmingham, to hear first hand the opportunities on offer in vocational training routes and how they can give young people a head-start in their careers.

Sarah Coombes MP & apprentices

They also learned about the challenges facing apprentices, from difficulties finding opportunities through a lack of awareness or promotion in schools (who can sometimes prioritise traditional academic routes), to other barriers such as poor local public transport links.

The attendees also got involved in making their very own model airplanes (produced by Make UK member Alderman Tooling), under the apprentices' expert supervision. 

Encouragingly, among those who attended were a number of young and newly elected MPs from the 2024 General Election intake keen on taking an interest in - and broadening their understanding of - manufacturing. You can view our gallery from the event below.