Forget everything you think you know about manufacturing – this is Advanced Manufacturing, and it’s turning manufacturing on its head.
Right now Advanced Manufacturing is THE place to be in the UK. It’s a priority ‘growth-driving sector’ for Government and contributes £82bn to the UK economy. Put that into perspective – Advanced Manufacturing alone supports around 760,000 jobs – and with an expected 86% increase in investment between now and 2035, it’s forecast for high growth.
And that means high demand for a future workforce with the right skills.
That’s where our Manufacturing the Future project comes in. We want to get young people excited about this incredible sector, challenge outdated perceptions of manufacturing and show them the huge variety of opportunities it offers – so more of them can see it as somewhere they’d want to work in the future.
Advanced Manufacturing is everywhere
High-end or Advanced Manufacturing is about using technology, AI, robotics, digital processes and automation. It’s pushing the boundaries to improve production methods. Saving time, increasing efficiency, making manufacturing faster and smarter.
It’s an exciting, amazing – and often jaw-dropping – sector. And in terms of careers – there’s a role for everyone.
The types of organisations in this sector include (but are not limited to!):
Aerospace & Space · Cars & Future Transport · Robotics & Automation · Energy & Clean Tech · Electronics & Semiconductors · Medicines & Medical Technology · Defence & Security · Advanced Materials & Engineering
From satellites and electric vehicles to robots, medicines, aircraft and clean energy, advanced manufacturing brings together some of the UK’s most innovative industries.
Bringing Advanced Manufacturing to life for young people
From robots and driverless vehicles to satellites, clean energy and life-changing medical technology, Advanced Manufacturing is behind some incredible things. And it takes all kinds of people, skills and roles to make them happen.
With funding from the ERA Foundation, Manufacturing the Future will bring this world to life for young people, through hands-on experiences and encounters with people working across the sector.
Young people will discover what Advanced Manufacturing is really like, the surprising range of jobs within it, and why it could be an incredible place to build their own future. From AI and product design to marketing, finance, engineering and logistics, it takes all kinds of people and skills to turn big ideas into reality.
Help us inspire the next generation
Advanced Manufacturing needs all kinds of people, and we want young people to meet them.
We’re looking for volunteers who work, or have previously worked, in Advanced Manufacturing, whether that’s for a major employer, SME or a small specialist business. We’ll give you help and support with volunteer resources – including age-appropriate presentation templates – and you can proactively search for school events you’d like to join, or teachers can invite you to join activities they’re running directly.
One thing to be clear on – you don’t need to be an engineer.
We want young people to meet people working across the whole organisation, from production, engineering and technology to design, logistics, sales, marketing, finance, HR and many more.
All you need to do is tell your story, share what your job is REALLY like, how you got there and what makes this sector so interesting. Younger children are naturally curious and will ask the questions. With older students, you can help them understand the skills, subjects and different routes – technical or academic – that could lead to a role like yours.
Not sure if you count as Advanced Manufacturing? If you work in manufacturing, engineering or a related industry and think your experience could help young people understand this world, we’d love to hear from you.
The greater the mix of people, roles and experiences they meet, the better.
Get your school involved
There are lots of ways for your students to discover Advanced Manufacturing. Join one of our showcase events or create your own activities by inviting volunteer role models directly through our Inspiring the Future platform.
1. Join our virtual showcase events
Each year, we’re running five live virtual showcase events, open to schools across the UK and reaching thousands of primary and secondary pupils and students.
Each event will showcase 4–5 very different jobs within Advanced Manufacturing. Young people could meet people working in space, automotive, maritime or agriculture, in roles ranging from research and engineering to marketing, HR, manufacturing and sales.
Our events are interactive and age-appropriate, for KS2 or KS3. Each event will give young people the opportunity to hear what each job is really like and ask their own questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Manufacturing the Future: Meet the People Behind the Big Ideas
10 November 2026, 9:30-10:15am | KS2
Take your pupils behind the scenes of advanced manufacturing as they meet 3-4 people doing very different jobs, who’ll share what they do in a fun, age-appropriate way. From robots at work to surprising roles they’ve never heard of, pupils will discover how their own interests and skills could one day help make the future.
Manufacturing the Future: From Shipyards to Smart Vehicles
12 November 2026, 11-12pm | KS3+
Discover how advanced manufacturing is transforming the maritime and automotive industries. Explore the technologies shaping the future, learn about exciting careers, and discover the skills needed to build the vehicles and vessels of tomorrow.
Manufacturing the Future: Robotics, AI and Automation
2 February 2027 11-12pm | KS3+
Explore how robotics, AI and automation are transforming modern manufacturing. Students will hear from professionals in a range of roles, discover how smart factories work, and see how cutting-edge technology is improving productivity and sustainability.
2. Bring Advanced Manufacturing into your school
Each year, we’re running four fully organised in-person events in schools, bringing Advanced Manufacturing directly to pupils and students.
Our team will organise and run the event for you, bringing together 3-4 people working in very different roles across the sector. Pupils and students will hear first-hand what their jobs are really like and take part in interactive sessions and small-group conversations.
We’re also offering training for teachers and careers leaders, helping you build your knowledge of Advanced Manufacturing, the opportunities it offers and the wide range of roles available.
Interested in an in-person event at your school and/or teacher training? Complete our short expression of interest form and tell us what you’re interested in.
For in-person events, we’ll be in touch during September/October as opportunities become available.
3. Create or enhance your own activities
Already planning careers-related learning? Bring it to life by adding someone who actually works in that role or sector.
Use our free Inspiring the Future platform to find and invite Advanced Manufacturing volunteers. Or create something completely new, bringing together several role models to give pupils and students a taste of the different jobs and opportunities across the sector.
Whether in-person or virtual, you choose who they meet and when. You’ll also be able to access new Advanced Manufacturing resources, including lesson plans, designed to make it even easier to bring the sector into your classroom.
Get your organisation involved
There are lots of ways for employers to get involved, from encouraging employees from across your organisation to volunteer, to hosting events, featuring in our video resources for schools or funding activities focused on a particular region or area of Advanced Manufacturing.
Please complete our expression of interest form if you’d like to discuss how your organisation can get involved.
About the ERA Foundation
The ERA Foundation supports UK high-technology engineering and manufacturing, investing in programmes that develop skills and inspire the next generation. The Foundation is funding Manufacturing the Future for three years, helping to introduce thousands of young people to the breadth of Advanced Manufacturing and the opportunities within it.
