Pictured above: Priory Cast Products
As a sector that, in 2020, supported 26,000 jobs in the county – beaten only by health, education, science-related roles and the automotive industry – manufacturing is a key component of Oxfordshire’s economic make-up, with many world-leading businesses operating in the area.
With this in mind, National Manufacturing Day – which takes place today (7 July) and led by Make UK – offers a real chance to those businesses operating in manufacturing to highlight how important the sector is to the county and the wider UK economy.
The day aims to create a platform for manufacturers and associated organisations to showcase the range of highly-skilled jobs available in the sector. Companies across the UK have today opened their doors to the public, demonstrating the role that they play and the opportunities that are available across the sector.
International names such as Abbott, Mini Plant Oxford, Siemens and Reckitt all have a significant footing in Oxfordshire, employing many people in the county.
As the Local Enterprise Partnership for Oxfordshire, we have worked closely with a variety of manufacturing companies, supporting them to grow, innovate, reach their potential, inspire a future workforce and ‘grow their own’ talent.
One such company is the Kingston Bagpuize-based ES Precision – an award-winning laser processing and traditional machining company.
ES Precision has accessed support via the OxLEP Business’ peer networks programme, gaining one-to-one expert advice on imports and exports. It also benefitted from our Business Investment Fund, going on to offer an efficient service in the cutting of parts for hydrogen fuel cells without the need to manufacture conventional cutting tools.
Through the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, OxLEP Skills have championed a number of companies and young people, excelling in manufacturing-focused apprenticeship roles. This includes emerging small businesses such as Priory Cast Products – a winner at this year's awards – and new, high-quality training providers like the Culham Science Centre-based Oxfordshire Advanced Skills who offer manufacturing qualifications.
Both OxLEP Skills and OxLEP Business offers manufacturing companies in Oxfordshire a variety of different support options – from business grants or continued mentoring schemes, through to accessing a new ‘Social Contract’ programme that can support a company to potentially unlock its apprenticeship levy, as well as signposting businesses towards relevant apprenticeship grants and training providers.
It's a sector that remains a key part of Oxfordshire’s economic recovery and continues to garner investment interest too, cited most-recently via Catalent’s £120million acquisition of the Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre at Harwell Campus.
