Lord Digby Jones calls for extractives industry to engage with schools

Former CBI head lends support to Proskills’ DigIT! To BuildIT! Schools Into Industry Programme

AS Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for the process and manufacturing sector, launches four new Schools Into Industry Programmes (SIIPs), Lord Digby Jones, former CBI head, has challenged manufacturers in the building products and extractives industries to play their part in strengthening the future of manufacturing by engaging with local schools.

Stressing the importance of attracting younger students into the world of manufacturing, Lord Digby Jones said: ‘It is essential we have an education system which delivers young people who want to build careers in manufacturing and who have the skills and mind set to do so.

‘That means encouraging businesses around the country to liaise with their local schools and introduce teenagers to the fascinating and worthwhile career opportunities in the vibrant and successful manufacturing sector.’

Lord Digby Jones is lending his support to Proskills as it looks to engage with schools and employers to take part in its new curriculum-mapped SIIP ‘DigIT! To BuildIT!’, which aims to educate and excite students towards a career within the building products and extractives industries.

Commenting on how the SIIP could benefit the extractives and building products industries, Chris Hallas, director of Shire Minerals, said: ‘DigIT! to BuildIT! is an ideal opportunity for building materials companies to increase their visibility with schools and young people to make them aware of this exciting industry.

‘Hopefully, by taking part in DigIT! to BuildIT! and finding out what the industry has to offer, these young people will look to the building products sector as a future career choice.’

Terry Watts, CEO of Proskills, explained how the SIIP could have a positive impact on the British economy: ‘The future of Britain’s economy lies within manufacturing, and the future of manufacturing lies in bringing through the next generation of skilled employees to push our sector forward.

‘It is absolutely crucial that we convey the right message and show the fantastic opportunities that are available within a career in manufacturing, we need to show students that they can embark on a career that could really change Britain for the better.’