EEF

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation has called on the Government to clarify reciprocal rights for EU workers as a matter of urgency as a new survey warns of a recruitment crunch if Britain’s businesses are denied access to skills from across the European Union. The survey is contained in a report published today; “Making migration work for manufacturers: Accessing skills in a post-Brexit world.” This comes on the back of last week’s official data on migration.

  The Government are being urged to place more emphasis in the UK’s industrial strategy on helping the working age population stay fit, healthy and productive.

The Government is being urged to set out clear guidance for British manufacturers on the rules of engagement for industry Sector Deals ahead of the forthcoming Industrial Strategy White Paper, so that these Deals are in place in time to help mitigate the impact of Brexit on industry supply chains. The call was made by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation in a paper: ‘Unlocking business ambition through an improved Sector Deal Framework’. 

There is enthusiastic support from industry for the creation of an industrial strategy which will be a crucial component in managing economic change regardless of the final Brexit deal, but the EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, has claimed that the Government needs to take the strategy to the next level and fill in the gaps ahead of the forthcoming white paper.

  The organisation representing Britain’s Defence, Security, Aerospace and Space industries, NDI are a fully integrated division of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, and are bringing together a ‘who’s who’ of speakers at its two day National Conference and Dinner in November.

Feeling the effects of structural shifts in world trade, UK manufacturing is struggling with business as usual not being an option for exporters or policy makers. Industry is urging the Government to ensure barrier free trade as part of any Brexit deal on the back of new research showing many export destinations are already not as open to trade as they were before the financial crisis and that this is impacting on UK export performance.

According to the head of the UK’s manufacturers, the Government must radically improve and clarify its Brexit strategy with the EU to help firms in the UK and overseas who need to make decisions on investment and jobs. Addressing the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, in Strasbourg last week, Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation said that British firms face a ‘tipping point’ well before March 2019, when they need to know with certainty what arrangements will be in place when we officially leave the EU.

  The EEF Technology Hub trains more than 400 apprentices each year, and this year is showcasing its cutting edge engineering and manufacturing training facilities on 29th June from 3-7pm.

Organised by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation as part of the MakeGreat campaign, a further step-by-step guide has been launched as part of a series of guidance; to help businesses secure the funds required developing their workforce and embedding the right skills to ensure improved productivity and business growth.

  Expert advice is being offered to manufacturing companies on three areas of developing their future workforce talent and leadership through a webinar series as part of the MakeGreat campaign organised by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

Tis’ the season to be snappy, as it is the annual EEF manufacturing photography competition, and photographers of all experience levels are being encouraged to join in. The competition, now in its 8th year, is now open and is asking photographers to submit images that capture the essence of modern manufacturing. Photographs can portray any stage of manufacturing - from design, process and technology in action through to the finished product - and can cover traditional or high-tech sectors.

It has been announced that EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation in entering a new partnership deal with leading R&D tax relief specialist, Jumpstart, as part of its Advantages programme. The move will see Jumpstart providing expert advice to EEF members to ensure they secure their full entitlement of R&D tax relief, as well as guidance to those companies seeking to apply for the credit for the first time.

  Working together, EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation and the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) in Cambridge will be teaming up the major seminar next month to offer guidance from some of the UK’s experts on how to become a fully digitalised manufacturing enterprise.

EEF, the manufacture’s organisation, is on the hunt to find this year’s best of British manufacturing, which does include the most outstanding apprentices. The 9th annual Future Manufacturing Awards is being launched, and is designed to find Britain’s unsung manufacturing heroes and most outstanding apprentices.

If the newly-elected Government commits to a long-term, ambitious industrial strategy, according to EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation Britain could build on its position as a modern manufacturing powerhouse. In EEF’s manifesto, Making the Future, Making Britain Great, the manufacturer’s organisation has stated this and is urging new Government to use the opportunity to fully commit to a comprehensive industrial strategy, building on the momentum created by the surge in recent manufacturing performance in recent data including GDP and PMI figures.

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation believes a change can happen in industry if specific policies which support the industrial strategy are driven by a clear cross-government vision and measurable outcomes. The UK’s long-term structural weaknesses must be systematically tackled by the government’s industrial strategy, with a bold, focused and specific set of policy measures, but manufacturers believe it can only be achieved if government sets itself measurable goals and ensures a policy framework which forms the basis of future fiscal statements.

Apprentices, employers and business leaders met The Princess Royal as she officially opened EEF’s new Technology Hub in Aston, Birmingham last week, on 30th March. The Technology Hub has been designed and equipped to replicate real-life modern engineering and manufacturing workplaces and will be responsible for delivering vital technical skills. It is the result of an ambitious multi-million pound expansion and forms a second site to EEF’s technology training centre – also in Aston - which opened in 2014.

Representing two hundred thousand manufacturers across Europe and the UK groups have called on EU and UK negotiators to agree a Brexit deal that supports trade and reduces the risk of economic shocks. The call comes as Britain prepares to trigger Article 50, sparking concern amongst industry leaders that no deal or a bad deal could be a lose-lose for both parties.

This week is National Apprenticeship Week, 6th-10th March marks ten years of promoting apprenticeships in the UK. So in keeping with this week’s theme, the manufacturers organisation, EEF is providing the top ten facts about apprenticeships and their importance and value to the sector and the wider economy:

Getting off to a much stronger start to the year than expected, UK manufacturing has been defying firms’ own expectations and providing a much-needed boost to confidence, recruitment and investment, according to the Q1 2017 Manufacturing Outlook released today by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, and accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.