Home > News > September 2004 > 28-Sep-2004

Amicus publish blueprint for manufacturing recovery

Manufacturing union Amicus has published a manufacturing blueprint making recommendations on every aspect of the government's own manufacturing strategy, highlighting measures to promote productivity and save UK manufacturing jobs.

According to Amicus, improved financing, better skills training and the promotion of innovative work practices are key to stopping the UK's manufacturing meltdown.

Amicus say that improved finance for SMEs, the creation of a national investment bank and the reform and greater funding for the Export Credits Guarantee Department are vital for the UK's manufacturing's recovery. Amicus also wants an increase in state aid for manufacturing and has recommended that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee should take account of regional and employment data before making interest rate decisions.

The union wants urgent action on skills too, including the shake-up of underperforming Sector Skills Councils and the introduction of industry training levies for manufacturing sectors blighted by skills shortages.

"This is a robust strategy to tackle the issues blighting our manufacturing sector", said Derek Simpson, General Secretary of Amicus. "We have to build on the government's manufacturing strategy and the commitments made at Warwick to ensure that our industry sector is given the best chance of survival. Manufacturing is an integral part of our economy and provides the majority of high skilled, high value jobs for the UK. Manufacturing is also our highest earning and largest export - over 60% of our exports are manufacturing related. These are gaps the service sector just can't bridge."

Amicus' `Agenda for Manufacturing' highlights the need for an improved transport infrastructure, including the expansion of airport and port capacity and the integration of surface transport, is also vital in boosting the UK's manufacturing performance. The union also says more needs to be done to actively promote of manufacturing occupations to school leavers. It wants an increase in the number of manufacturing apprenticeships on offer.

Training and development books

Discover books on a variety of training and development topics at the Training Reference Bookshop

Source suppliers

Visit the Training Reference Directory to view supplier details for a wide range of courses, products and services.

Sponsored links

Back to top