Run by manufacturers for manufacturers

Manufacturing, textiles, engineering, joinery, construction. I’ve heard all of these called “the dirty industries” and stories of teachers and parents alike telling their children to avoid them. Whilst some of this is still do doubt happening, we need to continue to dispel the myths that “dirty industries” are now cleaner, greener, more automated, challenging and faster-paced than ever.

Young people solving a problem togetherAs a young person looking at career choices, why on earth would you bother looking at these industries? Well, it all comes back to parents not necessarily being the best judges of where things are up to in the big, wide world.

Rock-solid jobs and room for you to grow and progress

Both manufacturing and construction offer steady employment and opportunities to climb the ladder. They’re essential for the economy and building things, so there’s always a demand for skilled workers. You can build a long-term career and move up the ranks. Whether or not you have aspirations of being a big-shot entrepreneur, you can be sure that with skills in the industry in short supply, your motivation, intelligence and dedication will not go unrewarded!

Hands-on for concrete results

Whether you literally like getting your hands dirty or just metaphorically so, you’re in the right place. Working in construction and manufacturing gives you loads of opportunity for satiusfaction from seeing the fruits of your labour. You’re literally creating things (manufacturing, like manu = by hand and facturing = doing) or constructing things. Which is quite something, when you think about it!

Get yourself to the cutting-edge and stay there

Believe it or not (you better had – see next paragraph), these industries are all about embracing technology. They use automation, robots, 3D printing, and eco-friendly construction methods. It’s not just hammers and nails anymore, even though the basic skills needed in the industry are still very much in demand (see our post on ….). You could more than likely find yourself working with bleeding-edge tools and being a key part of innovative projects; in some smaller companies, as a younger person who’s likely to be more at home working with new technology, you even might be expected to lead the research into how these tools could be used to contribute to improvements in the business.

Tech geeks apply here

Manufacturing and construction are ever more rapidly embracing technology and new materials to improve efficiency, productivity, and safety. If you’re into technology and innovation, you can find exciting opportunities in areas such as automation, robotics, 3D printing, and sustainable construction practices.

Get skilled-up and keep developing yourself

These industries have suffered for years from a chronic shortage of suitable skills. That’s driven the need for innovation, but now with the pace of change, younger recruits are needed to take advantage of it. This can give you very valuable skills development opportunities including technical skills as well as broader ones such as project management, problem-solving, teamwork, and other transferable skills that can be applied across various sectors. As a result, these industries can serve as a stepping stone to diverse career paths or provide a solid foundation for entrepreneurship.

Competitive compensation: shorthand for “pays really well”

Why would you get out of bed in the morning? In some industries, starting salaries sound a bit pie-in-the-sky, but given the skills shortage, skilled workers in the manufacturing and construction industries can often out-earn their peers who go to university and earn very competitive wages. With experience and expertise, you can command higher salaries and enjoy financial stability earlier in your career.

Career variety and progression: no two days are ever the same

Manufacturing and construction encompass a wide range of roles and specialties. You could try your hand in different areas such as design, engineering, quality control, project management, operations, and more: in fact, many companies positively encourage this to give you a broader look at what they do. These industries offer opportunities for career progression, allowing you to move into supervisory or management roles with experience and continuous learning.

Industry transformation and sustainability: everything’s changing, faster and faster

The manufacturing and construction sectors are evolving to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. If like most people you value the planet and the environment, you can help lead the shaping these industries by implementing sustainable practices, developing green technologies, and creating eco-friendly products.

So – don’t write off manufacturing and construction just because of their old reputation. There are plenty of reasons why young people would find them exciting and fulfilling.  Just have a think about where you might fit into the picture and above all, talk to people in the industry.

Go on, we don’t bite!