This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Campaign to 'Make it in Scotland'
12/02/2002
The national roll out of a successful campaign to
improve the image of manufacturing careers among secondary
school pupils and teachers was announced today.
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong
Learning, Wendy Alexander, today formally announced the
national roll out of a successful campaign to improve the
image of manufacturing careers among secondary school
pupils and teachers.
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
Wendy Alexander made the announcement to S2 pupils
attending the 'Make it in Scotland' roadshow at Celtic
Park.
The Executive's campaign gives pupils and teachers the
opportunity to learn about - and test out - a wide range of
jobs now available in the manufacturing sector.
Local companies laid on imaginative activities for the
pupils, from making their own fizzy drinks, to producing a
new national monument.
Ms Alexander said:
"These roadshows are not only an excellent means of
capturing pupils' imaginations, they are also a crucial
investment in our future.
"Earlier today, I set out my vision for Scotland's
economic future. I made it clear that the Executive is
committed to delivering opportunities for our young people,
building a sound base for manufacturing, and boosting the
Scottish economy.
"Initiatives such as the 'Make it in Scotland' campaign
underline the way in which the Executive is working with
the manufacturing sector to make this vision a reality.
"This initiative is a key component of 'Created in
Scotland', the Executive's manufacturing strategy for the
21
st century. Devised along with industry
representatives, the roadshows are changing outdated
perceptions about manufacturing and boosting the image of
the sector.
"The event in Glasgow is part of a campaign taking place
this spring, which will travel on to schools in Ayrshire
and Angus and attract over 7,000 S2 pupils.
"Through highly successful pilots in Ayrshire we have
already achieved a great deal in terms of changing the
attitudes of young people, teachers and parents about
career opportunities in our vibrant and dynamic
manufacturing industry.
"Young people are leaving these events knowing that a
career in manufacturing can mean working in areas as
diverse as research and development, design, production and
software services as well as prototyping, marketing and
quality control.
"I am therefore delighted to announce that the Executive
will be funding a national roll out of the campaign. In the
forthcoming year, all S2 pupils in Scotland will be offered
the opportunity to attend a Make it in Scotland
roadshow.
Making this announcement on the day that Ms Alexander
hosted a major conference on Scotland's economy, the
Minister underlined her commitment to manufacturing in
Scotland.
Ms Alexander said,
"At today's economy conference I spoke about how we
create a Scotland where there are employment opportunities
for all. Events such as these roadshows take us a step
closer to achieving this ambition, through releasing the
talents of young Scots.
The roots of the
Make it in Scotland project began in March 2000,
when Henry McLeish, as Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong
Learning, launched the 'Created in Scotland' document. This
document sets out the way forward for Scottish
manufacturing in the 21
st century. It was drawn up in consultation with
a steering group involving manufacturers, business
organisations, trade unions and representatives from the
higher education sector.
One of the key issues identified by the steering group
was the poor image of Scottish manufacturing. In response,
Henry McLeish set up a project to devise a campaign to
boost the image. An event, to inform pupils at an early
stage in their secondary education, was agreed as the best
way to influence later career choices.
A pilot roadshow for S2 pupils was run in the East
Ayrshire area in March 2001. 300 second year pupils from 3
secondary schools participated in a range of activities
designed and delivered by staff from local and national
manufacturing businesses.
The main recommendation from the feasibility study and
pilot was that every second year pupil in Scotland should
be entitled to attend a 'Make it in Scotland' event within
the session 2001/2002. The Scottish Executive hosts this
project. A project team, based in Glasgow, is co-ordinating
the national campaign. The team includes staff from the
Scottish Executive, education and industry.
Roadshows will run from February to March 2002 and will
have the following features:
- an interactive information period and an activity
period;
- a range of hands-on activities structured both in
language and content, to fit within the Education for
Work curricular programme in Schools, as contained in
the HMI Inspectors of Schools report;
- the presentation of three simple messages that
capture the essence of manufacturing, i.e., 'Making,
Selling, International'.
The events will take place in:
Glasgow: 12/13/14 Feb (Celtic Park); 1995
Ayrshire: 26/27/28 Feb (Magnum Centre); 4000
Angus: 26/27/28 March (local schools); 1200
Local companies have designed and will deliver the
activities. Rover Group, AG Barr and CR Smith, among
others, will let pupils try out a range of activities, from
creating a soft drink, to assembling a vacuum cleaner.