How can you attract young people into UK manufacturing?

Gail has been writing about manufacturing technologies across several trade publications for over 30 years. She has worked as a business-to-business journalist with such titles as Food Manufacture, Fine Food Digest, Artisan magazine, The Grocer, British Baker, Builders Merchants Journal and DIY Week. While editor of Packaging News she won several awards and for the last 13 years she has been editor of Machinery Update, the machinery-only journal published by Automate UK. She stepped down from the magazine at the end of 2023 to work on projects for Automate UK including this new UK Automation Forum.

Scott is the Sector Head of the Process Instrumentation and Control sector at GAMBICA, the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation, and Laboratory Technology in the UK. In 2022, he led the concept development of GAMBICA’s Young Council (GYC) initiative and now oversees its ongoing management. The GYC enhances GAMBICA’s strategic governance structure and introduces fresh ideas and diverse perspectives from a new generation of rising stars and future leaders. This dynamic group of highly talented individuals is shaping the future of GAMBICA sectors, with current focuses on STEM engagement, upskilling, and sustainability.

A former Aerospace Manufacturing Engineer, Rosa has been delivering employer responsive training for the engineering sector for over a decade. More recently, she has taken on a Board Director role for Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology and has been appointed as FE Principal & Dean for STEM at University College Birmingham. Rosa sits on the steering group for the West Midlands Robotics & Automation Cluster, has been appointed Chair for the National Network of Institutes of Technology and is Deputy Chair on the Engineering Council’s Education and Skills Advisory Panel.

Kathryn is in the first year of her Machine Vision Engineer apprenticeship at Scorpion Vision in Lymington, Hampshire where she helps to design and implement vision solutions for factory automation. She is also studying for a BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions at Southampton Solent University with a focus on software engineering.

Olivia is an ambitious and talented apprentice who is carving out a path in the world of eCommerce. Her journey began as a warehouse operative, which introduced her to Amazon’s apprenticeship programme. She is gaining real-world experience through hands-on engineering and problem-solving, championing the next generation of talent in manufacturing and women in industry.

Jason’s role involves research and development into new and existing products within the gate automation industry, as well as development and implementation of production automation.