Process and Manufacturing Sector

Proskills UK represents 9 industries in the process and manufacturing sector.

• Building products
• Coatings
• Extractives and mineral processing
• Furniture, furnishings and interiors
• Glass
• Glazed Ceramics
• Print
• Paper
• Wood

The industries that make up the Process and Manufacturing sector represent over 1 million people and a 3rd of the UK's manufacturing base; around 80,000 businesses in the UK.

Vocational learning is one of the best ways to enter the sector and learn the right skills.

Apprenticeships and Diplomas are new work-related qualifications designed to prepare young people for the world of work, by developing sector-relevant skills, and knowledge so that graduates emerge with the skills, knowledge and attitudes required by employers to lead the way.

Employers are interested in knowledge, commitment and skill. While studying to degree level opens up a range of opportunities within the sector entry level can begin with an apprenticeship or diploma.

Prospects

92% of people completing Higher Education courses directly relevant to the Proskills industries had found employment within 1 year of completing their course, compared to 58% of all graduates

Graduates are mainly recruited into jobs which are directly related to their vocational degree and the most common degree subjects for new recruits to the process and manufacturing sector are Business studies, Design studies, Graphic design, and Management studies

Nearly a third of graduates entering the Coatings industry studied Chemistry (32%), and a similar proportion of those entering the mining and quarrying industries studied Geology (29%)

Where are the jobs?

There are a variety of jobs across the process and manufacturing sector and within the 9 industries.

Moving into job roles in these areas can be achieved through work experience or by further study.

Jobs within process and manufacturing industries can be via entry level with continued on the job development of knowledge and skills or the industries welcome graduates who can demonstrate their knowledge and capabilities.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Human resource manager
• Sales manager
• Quantity surveyor
• Estimator
• Designer
• Engineer
• Operations manager
• Graphic Designer
• Production manager
• Environmental manager
• Accounting

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Site manager
• Site engineer
• Quality control
• Marketing
• Customer service
• Project management

These are just a selection of jobs and although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

The careers portal website, Prospect4u, contains further information and can be accessed at www.prospect4u.co.uk. Here you will find downloadable A5 booklets, video case studies and interesting facts about all nine industries that Proskills represent.