Nestlé’s study of 2,000 young people aged 16-24 years-old, found that just 4% would consider a career in the manufacturing industry.
According to the Swiss giant, this is due to the perception that it doesn’t offer the same opportunities as other sectors; with industries such as healthcare (20%), the creative industries (16%), education (15%), retail (12%), and technology (11%) dominating Gen Z’s current career ambitions.
Despite the fact that the food and drink industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, just 28% believe it still happens in the UK - but most people rarely see or hear about it. Meanwhile, three in ten think the majority of production has moved overseas entirely.
Manufacturers need to get on TikTok
One in three young people now turn to social media to drive their career decisions, where manufacturing currently fails to have much presence. This highlights a clear opportunity for businesses to use platforms such as TikTok as a way to secure its future talent pipeline.
Nestlé’s research found that exposure is a key driver in inspiring young people, with as many as 48% of respondents saying that they would be more interested if they saw real-life examples of modern factories in action, while the same number would reconsider if they understood the impact these jobs have on everyday life.
“Young people today are confident, creative problem solvers and full of potential. They have the skills that modern manufacturing needs, but there’s a perception gap we need to close,” said Richard Watson, CEO of Nestlé UK & Ireland.
“From apprenticeships to graduate programmes and roles across design, innovation, technology and operations, these careers don’t require everyone to follow the same route. At a time when job opportunities for young people and skills shortages are high on the government agenda, manufacturing offers something concrete: diverse opportunities for young people from all backgrounds.”
Skills not a barrier
It’s also going to be important for manufacturers to use social media to re-educate the diversity of opportunities within the sector, with Nestlé’s study showing the barrier isn’t skills.
A strong majority (85%) of young people say they’re confidence with problem-solving and teamwork, and 83% ranking themselves as highly creative. However, with only 35% associating the word ‘creative’ with manufacturing jobs, and 48% connecting these roles with problem-solving, there is clearly a direct mismatch between today’s reality and past assumptions.
