Unlocking the future of UK Manufacturing: #NMD2023 @ Hymid

The future of #ukmanufacturing faces uncertainty, as the encroaching retirement of a large part of the industry's workforce starts to take effect. The knock-on effects of this are set to reshape the landscape, and businesses are scrambling to make sure the future is not plunged into doubt.

Make UK - the Manufacturers Organisation and its members are taking action. As a proud and active member of the nationwide community, Hymid recently took part in MAKE UK’s National Manufacturing Day 2023 (#NMD2023); a day filled with enthusiasm, learning and collaboration.

Events were held all over the UK. For our part, we opened our doors to 60 GCSE students from four local secondary schools St. Cuthbert Mayne School , Churston Ferrers Grammar School , Torquay Girls' Grammar School & Torquay Boys' Grammar School ) their teachers and some distinguished guests.

These guests included the MP for Torbay Kevin Foster and the Civic Mayor for Torbay Mark Anthony Spacagna . We were also joined by local councillor Mandy Darling, her assistant Lily and Mandy’s ‘seeing eye’ dog Pepsi. Our final guest was Make UK 's own Jim Davison (Regional Director (South West)), who wanted to show his support for our participation in #NMD2023.

The event marked a milestone for us at Team Hymid – we welcomed the largest number of visitors we have ever hosted in a single day. The students embarked on an educational journey, exploring the inner workings of a manufacturing business. They not only learned about the intricacies of plastics manufacturing but also engaged in friendly competitions and activities, sparking their creativity, teamwork skills and critical thinking.

"Hymid has firm routes here in Torbay and wants to stay here. To do that we need a workforce that is local, highly skilled, engaged and want to be here. So opening the doors to local school children and people has been excellent - it's also been good for the staff, to help them engage with local students. It's been a really positive experience." Tom McMurtrie OBE , Hymid

As the students travelled around the production facility in teams of five, they were awarded points for interest and engagement; undertaking measurement and pricing exercises. We also challenged them to design a trophy using our 3D printing capability; a great use of novel technology. The results are being compiled, with the competition winner being announced on our social channels soon! We will be 3D printing the winning team’s trophy design and then presenting their trophy plus some ‘extra goodies’ at their school assembly.

Our guests were equally impressed by what they saw, commending the professional attitude of our staff and the pristine operating environment, helping to squash some common misconceptions about manufacturing being a noisy, dirty place!

We were thrilled to see their support for the event, for Hymid, and for our fellow MAKE UK members, as we collectively endeavour to dispel some myths about manufacturing, to educate the next generation and to garner interest in the promising future for UK manufacturing.

"UK Manufacturing is a core part of our economy, but often people just don't realise manufacturing is taking place in their community. So it's been good to see the work being done to highlight to students not only the jobs and careers that are available but the real potential of this sector." Kevin Foster , MP for Torbay

Team Hymid would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in making this event such a success, and to our MP Kevin Foster, Civic Mayor Mark Spacagna, Councillor Mandy Darling and MAKE UK’s Jim Davison for helping us to inspire the future generation of manufacturers.

But most of all, a massive well done to all the students and their teachers for joining us on the day!

At Hymid, we understand the importance of garnering interest in manufacturing for the next generation of workers and leaders. To find out more about our business or how we can be a trusted partner for your plastic injection moulding needs, call us today on ?? 01803 615380 or email us at ?? [email protected] ?– our specialist staff are standing by to help!