Pushing for a culture change in Britain's economy
July 6th 2011

Vince Cable has announced that Britain's economy must undergo a culture change in order to stop manufacturing losing young people to other industries.

Addressing workers at an automotive factory, Cable said: "In order to get the population of highly motivated, good, young people coming into manufacturing, we have to change the perception that it is technical, noisy and dirty," adding: "At a graduate level there is a cultural issue, and it is also true of school-leavers."

Cable's comments are the latest contribution in a government drive to boost the role of manufacturing in the UK economy. George Osborne called for a "march of the makers" in his budget speech in March, but concerns over where the next generation of engineers and scientists will come from persist.

Mark Woodhead, chairman of the British Cleaning Council said: "The perception of the manufacturing industry amongst our most talented workers has been poor for too long, and many people are unaware of the fantastic opportunities that lie within the sector. If we are going to achieve this change, in addition to selling the industry better, we must show how valued people working in manufacturing are, both economically and socially."

The manufacturing sector currently employs 2.6 million people in the UK and contributes more to the economy than financial services, generating 11% of GDP.

The British Cleaning Council will host its annual conference on 11th October 2011 at Kings Place, featuring a session on rebalancing the economy and attracting workers to more sustainable industries.

The conference will host up to 400 high-level delegates congregating in the exhibition space set in London’s Kings Cross-St. Pancras.

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