Does Gen Z hold the key to solving the UK’s productivity puzzle?

Digitally native and open to technological progress, Gen Z could be the secret weapon the manufacturing sector needs to harness the power of automation. However, it is incumbent on the industry to make sure the younger generation is turned on to careers in engineering and robotics. Here, we reveal the steps that FANUC UK is taking to capture the attention of these bright young minds in a bid to secure the future of UK manufacturing…

31/10/2023 10:38:44

Despite our reputation as a strong manufacturing nation, productivity has long been the Achilles’ heel of the UK’s economy. Although we are now the eighth largest manufacturing nation, international comparisons show that the USA and Germany produce about one-sixth more than the UK per hour worked.

Looking beyond the economy-wide picture, whilst productivity is an issue for all industries, it is an ongoing struggle for our manufacturing sector in particular. Productivity levels have essentially flatlined since the pandemic, with ONS data revealing that in the first quarter of 2023, manufacturing actually made a negative contribution to productivity growth.

Read the full article in DPA's November issue