How can you attract young people into UK manufacturing?

With 20 years of experience in factory automation, Oliver brings a wealth of industry and product knowledge of UK manufacturing and engineering to the Forum. He is passionate about strategically transforming the UK’s automation and manufacturing position on the global stage which can be seen through his customer first philosophy and drive to improve manufacturing businesses efficiency and profitability using modern technology.

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.

Danny has worked in education for close to two decades. Starting as a teacher in Further Education, he became the programme leader for all apprenticeships at a large FE college in the South of England before working directly with the engineering sector for the past 10 years. In his current position as the Education & Skills Manager for The Manufacturing Technologies Association, Danny is responsible for promoting Engineering career opportunities to a new generation of engineers and supporting the manufacturing technologies sector to recruit new engineers and train their workforce. Additionally, he previously served in the British Army for 20 years.

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.