This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Manufacturing Steering Group reconvenes
10/10/2002
The recently re-convened Scottish Manufacturing Steering
Group held its first meeting in Edinburgh today.
Chaired by Dr Chris Masters, the group has been asked by
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
Iain Gray to:
- audit Created in Scotland by considering progress
on the report of the original group.
- note subsequent policy developments by bringing the
group up-to-date on current policy initiatives
- identify further actions required to support the
manufacturing sector as appropriate
Mr Gray said:
"I am delighted to be able to speak at the
inaguralinaugural meeting of this re-convened group. I am
sure that, if we focus on issues which are within the
devolved powers of the Scottish Executive, the expertise
gathered around this table can deliver real support to the
Scottish manufacturing sector that I am looking for.
"I know that I don't have to spell out to anyone, least
of all members of this group, how important it is that we
have a strong, stable manufacturing sector in this country.
Manufacturing is very much the engine room of our economy
and contributes around about one fifth of our GDP. It is
therefore essential that we do all we can to help drive the
sector forward.
"The manufacturing exports figures released yesterday by
the Executive show that the sector continues to face real
challenges. However, some areas - particularly chemicals,
paper and metals - continue to perform strongly. It is
therefore important that the group not only looks at what
needs more support, but also considers the positive work
that is happening and seeing how it can be applied across
the sector."
The Minister continued:
"I would urge the group to get out and speak to people
working in manufacturing in Scotland. It is by gathering
these views and opinions and utilising the expertise of
this group that we can make a positive difference to
manufacturing in Scotland."
Manufacturing contributes a fifth of GDP in Scotland.
There are almost 270,000 employee jobs (13% of the
workforce), with an estimated further 150,000 indirect
employee jobs in manufacturing.
Until recently, manufacturing focused on the process of
production. Today, it is more about creating than making.
Manufacturing integrates R&D, design, supply,
production, software, services, distribution, delivery and
aftercare.
The Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group was set up by
the former Enterprise Minister, Henry McLeish in 1999 to
advise the Scottish Executive on how best to support
Scottish manufacturing. The 27 members included
manufacturers, business organisations, trade unions and
representatives from the higher education sector. It last
met in 2000 following the launch of its report,
Created in Scotland.
Created in Scotland lists over 50 initiatives
covering: business environment; knowledge and technology;
science base and its commercialisation; skills and people;
and images and attitudes. Good progress has already been
made on almost all of these initiatives, with some already
having been achieved or completed.
Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister, Iain Gray,
announced his intention to reconvene the Scottish
Manufacturing Steering Group on 7 August.
The recently re-convened Scottish Manufacturing Steering
Group held its first meeting in Edinburgh today.
Chaired by Dr Chris Masters, the group has been asked by
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
Iain Gray to:
- audit Created in Scotland by considering progress
on the report of the original group.
- note subsequent policy developments by bringing the
group up-to-date on current policy initiatives
- identify further actions required to support the
manufacturing sector as appropriate
Speaking at the opening of the meeting the Minister
said:
"I am delighted to be able to speak at the
inaguralinaugural meeting of this re-convened group. I am
sure that, if we focus on issues which are within the
devolved powers of the Scottish Executive, the expertise
gathered around this table can deliver real support to the
Scottish manufacturing sector that I am looking for.
"I know that I don't have to spell out to anyone, least
of all members of this group, how important it is that we
have a strong, stable manufacturing sector in this country.
Manufacturing is very much the engine room of our economy
and contributes around about one fifth of our GDP. It is
therefore essential that we do all we can to help drive the
sector forward.
"The manufacturing exports figures released yesterday by
the Executive show that the sector continues to face real
challenges. However, some areas - particularly chemicals,
paper and metals - continue to perform strongly. It is
therefore important that the group not only looks at what
needs more support, but also considers the positive work
that is happening and seeing how it can be applied across
the sector."
The Minister continued:
"I would urge the group to get out and speak to people
working in manufacturing in Scotland. It is by gathering
these views and opinions and utilising the expertise of
this group that we can make a positive difference to
manufacturing in Scotland."
Manufacturing contributes a fifth of GDP in Scotland.
There are almost 270,000 employee jobs (13% of the
workforce), with an estimated further 150,000 indirect
employee jobs in manufacturing.
Until recently, manufacturing focused on the process of
production. Today, it is more about creating than making.
Manufacturing integrates R&D, design, supply,
production, software, services, distribution, delivery and
aftercare.
The Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group was set up by
the former Enterprise Minister, Henry McLeish in 1999 to
advise the Scottish Executive on how best to support
Scottish manufacturing. The 27 members included
manufacturers, business organisations, trade unions and
representatives from the higher education sector. It last
met in 2000 following the launch of its report,
Created in Scotland.
Created in Scotland lists over 50 initiatives
covering: business environment; knowledge and technology;
science base and its commercialisation; skills and people;
and images and attitudes. Good progress has already been
made on almost all of these initiatives, with some already
having been achieved or completed.
Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister, Iain Gray,
announced his intention to reconvene the Scottish
Manufacturing Steering Group on 7 August.