Manufacturing in the UK contributed £518bn to the nation’s GDP in 2022, accounting for nearly a quarter at 23% (Make UK, September 2024). Over 5 million people are employed directly in manufacturing and the wider supply chain. This vital sector of the economy was celebrated on 25th September 2025, with manufacturing companies across the UK opening their doors as part of Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day. Make UK is formerly known as the Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF) and champions and celebrates British manufacturing and manufacturers, focusing on creating the most supportive environment for UK manufacturers to thrive, innovate and compete.
2025 marks the fourth anniversary of the Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day. Manufacturers across the UK opened their doors, inviting members of the public and schools into factories and sites for a behind-the-scenes look at how manufacturers’ facilities work, as part of this UK-wide ‘Open House’.
This initiative provides local communities with the opportunity to see diverse and exciting career opportunities and jobs within the dynamic manufacturing sector, as employers engage with all age groups – from school leavers, graduates, and people looking to reskill.
At Caerbont Automotive Instruments, we took the opportunity to invite two groups of school students from Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur to our manufacturing facility in Abercrave, South Wales. The students were from year 11 (2nd year GCSE) and 12 (1st year A level). Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur is a successful Welsh-speaking community where all children and students are challenged and motivated to develop into first-class individuals.
During the visit, post grad engineering student Mansa Radhakrishnan gave the students a tour of the manufacturing facility, following the process of building high-specification gauges for cars and motorcycles. The tour started at the press shop before being shown the evolution of the process with the introduction of new technology including a laser cutter and bespoke gauge face printers. Students had the opportunity of seeing the gauge build process for instruments such as speedometers and tachometers destined for classic Aston Martin and MG sports cars, as well as bespoke high specification gauges for restoring, racing and rallying car builder Tuthill.
The students also had the opportunity to experience building an LED clock. This involved following a set of instructions under the guidance of CAI engineering student Matthew Belton. Students assembled a circuit board, including the delicate soldering of connecting wires, before undertaking final tests to check the build success.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) reports: ‘There is an estimated shortfall of over 173,000 workers in STEM sectors – an average of 10 unfilled roles per business in the UK, costing the economy a “shocking” £1.5bn each year. 49% of engineering businesses are experiencing difficulties recruiting workers with the skills they need.
“National Manufacturing Day provides the ideal opportunity to introduce school students and the general public to engineering and manufacturing,” explained CAI’s Managing Director, Gavin Roberts. “Manufacturing is the backbone of every developed country’s economy, providing vital employment to thousands of people. The sector is diverse and exciting, with a vast range of career opportunities for people with very different skill sets. We hope that this year’s student visits inspire our much-needed next generation of engineers.”
For further information on our apprenticeship programmes or gauge designs for Classic Cars, Electric Cars, Motorcycles and Marine projects, please contact us on:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1639 732200