40 per cent of small to medium sized manufacturers in England looking to recruit

According to the latest Barometer from the Manufacturing advisory service (MAS) as quoted in The manufacturer, around 40 per cent of small to medium sized manufacturers in England are planning to recruit. The news signals more of a ‘feel good’ factor for the sector and is supported by the fact that 86 per cent of respondents to the survey are planning to increase investment in equipment. Steve Barr, head of MAS, claimed this investment was vital, particularly if we are to take advantage of anticipated growth in offshore wind markets, renewables and low carbon vehicles. Mark Nesbit, managing consultant at Cast UK, commented on the statistic: “This is no surprise as a significant proportion of manufacturing companies are reporting a boost in sales over the last six months. This buoyancy and confidence in the market is indicative of firms looking to expand capabilities and invest in different skills. “Manufacturers need to think about the long-term by addressing skills gaps and attracting the right kind of people into roles to fulfil their growth strategies.