Welcome to another post in a new series - Only Connect - by Nick
Locke, of Nicab
Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics
manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.
A post related to how electronic manufactures can better promote the value of UK manufacturing.
Something that we can all do is think about the next generation of people coming into our industry. What sort of image do we currently project and how might this affect the career choices of our brightest minds?
This is a question the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has asked in order to understand the sharp decline in the number of UK students accepting places on Electronic Engineering courses.
A post related to how electronic manufactures can better promote the value of UK manufacturing.Something that we can all do is think about the next generation of people coming into our industry. What sort of image do we currently project and how might this affect the career choices of our brightest minds?
This is a question the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has asked in order to understand the sharp decline in the number of UK students accepting places on Electronic Engineering courses.
Part of the reason is the perceived idea that they can earn more money and respect by working in, say, IT or the sciences. I tend to think the issue is more around the fact that many people assume that everything electronic is made in China.
So how can we address this? The UKESF's approach is to raise awareness in schools of the value of electronics to society and the economy. In short, going out there, engaging with young people and telling them that in electronics there is a great career for you and you will get the chance to do great things and change lives.
What's more the USESF is finding placements in electronics companies for undergraduates so they can see first hand that there are companies that are doing some pretty exciting things right now.
Derek Boyd, chief executive of the UK Electronics Alliance, is a UKESF board member. "The UKESF launched at the beginning of 2010. Since then, we have been formalising agreements with agencies, founding partners, the IET and the Engineering Development Trust. There has been significant development work, with a website now up and running."
Promotional material can be downloaded and this is finding its way into the industry. "While we are seeing growth in recognition, we have a growth plan for UKESF and are confident the model will scale to offer companies both quantity and quality."
My personal message is to start promoting your industry right now, do what you can by engaging with the local schools, get young people in on work experience and go speak at school assemblies.
Finally the next time you're in a social situation and asked what you do, well, you say "I work in electronics manufacturing and we're changing the world into a better place, baby!"
Nick Locke, director at Nicab Ltd, has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly. Driven by a passion for interconnection he spends a great deal of his time searching out the latest technology and innovation in interconnection & manufacturing in general.
Keen to pass on information his aim is to engage the electronics community in the subjects and issues he believes are important. Totally devoted to the promotion of the electronics manufacturing industry he sees the future of electronics manufacturing as vital component in the UK economy.
Previous Only Connect entries:
* Only Connect: Handy Design Tips #3 - The right wrong connector
* Only Connect: Proud of the Made In UK mark
* Only Connect: Handy Design Tips #1 - Colour
* Only Connect: Better promoting the value of UK manufacturing
* Only Connect: Easy ways to go green
* Product packaging (Going Green II)
* Only Connect: The Nicab Top Ten connectors
* Only Connect: Handy Design Tips #2 - Problems & Opportunities
* Only Connect: Kudos for Connector.com
So how can we address this? The UKESF's approach is to raise awareness in schools of the value of electronics to society and the economy. In short, going out there, engaging with young people and telling them that in electronics there is a great career for you and you will get the chance to do great things and change lives.
What's more the USESF is finding placements in electronics companies for undergraduates so they can see first hand that there are companies that are doing some pretty exciting things right now.
Derek Boyd, chief executive of the UK Electronics Alliance, is a UKESF board member. "The UKESF launched at the beginning of 2010. Since then, we have been formalising agreements with agencies, founding partners, the IET and the Engineering Development Trust. There has been significant development work, with a website now up and running."
Promotional material can be downloaded and this is finding its way into the industry. "While we are seeing growth in recognition, we have a growth plan for UKESF and are confident the model will scale to offer companies both quantity and quality."
My personal message is to start promoting your industry right now, do what you can by engaging with the local schools, get young people in on work experience and go speak at school assemblies.
Finally the next time you're in a social situation and asked what you do, well, you say "I work in electronics manufacturing and we're changing the world into a better place, baby!"
Nick Locke, director at Nicab Ltd, has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly. Driven by a passion for interconnection he spends a great deal of his time searching out the latest technology and innovation in interconnection & manufacturing in general.
Keen to pass on information his aim is to engage the electronics community in the subjects and issues he believes are important. Totally devoted to the promotion of the electronics manufacturing industry he sees the future of electronics manufacturing as vital component in the UK economy.
Previous Only Connect entries:
* Only Connect: Handy Design Tips #3 - The right wrong connector
* Only Connect: Proud of the Made In UK mark
* Only Connect: Handy Design Tips #1 - Colour
* Only Connect: Better promoting the value of UK manufacturing
* Only Connect: Easy ways to go green
* Product packaging (Going Green II)
* Only Connect: The Nicab Top Ten connectors
* Only Connect: Handy Design Tips #2 - Problems & Opportunities
* Only Connect: Kudos for Connector.com
