The Scottish Government

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Listen

Nurturing Wealth Creation

Image and communicating policy

The lack of understanding and awareness about manufacturing in Scotland has had a negative impact on both public and private sector support. Similarly, poor industry image has negative impact on the supply of labour to manufacturing.

Manufacturers have indicated that the level of support available through the local enterprise companies (LECs) is inconsistent and appears to depend upon both the sector and the geographic location in which they operate, regardless of whether they are located within an area eligible for Regional Selective Assistance.

The Scottish Executive's manufacturing policies appear to feature more significantly in the work of some LECs more than others.

There should be a more consistent approach to the implementation of manufacturing policy by the Scottish Executive and the Enterprise Network and an improvement in the image of manufacturing, promoting careers in manufacturing to secondary school pupils.

Communicating manufacturing policy

A comprehensive communications strategy should be prepared and implemented by the Scottish Executive to target:

• the media in Scotland (augmenting rather than replacing sector specific work which is currently underway, for example in the electronics sector);
• the range of departments within the Scottish Executive which influence the policy environment impacting on the overall competitiveness of Scottish manufacturing;
• the national enterprise agencies, the network of local economic companies, and other organisations with responsibilities for economic development in Scotland; and
• manufacturing employers and employees and their representative organisations.

The various elements of the marketing and communications strategy associated with the recent changes to RSA may provide a useful model.

Implementing manufacturing policy

The DTI's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) comprises Regional Centres for Manufacturing Excellence (RCMEs); Centres of Expertise in Manufacturing (CEMs); and a Manufacturing Advisory Service website.

The initiative has been developed in partnership with the Regional Development Agencies in England and the Welsh Development Agency in Wales and provides a readily accessible, comprehensive support framework for manufacturers.

A number of organisations in Scotland have registered as Centres of Expertise in Manufacturing, although Regional Centres for Manufacturing Excellence have been established in England and Wales only.

Different initiatives being pursued by the Enterprise Networks in Scotland seek to achieve similar objectives to the Manufacturing Advisory Service, but the approach varies in relation to different manufacturing sectors.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service website includes the following statement:

"In Scotland, advice and support to manufacturers is provided through 22 Local Enterprise Companies that form part of the Scottish Enterprise Network and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Networks ... All manufacturers in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area, and larger manufacturers in the Scottish Enterprise area should contact their Local Enterprise Company directly to access services."

However, as identified earlier, manufacturers report different experiences in securing support in relation to their sectors and geographic locations. Coverage is not comprehensive and manufacturers in certain sectors are likely to find it difficult to source the support they require.

Image

The Make it in Scotland programme arose out of the work of the original Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group and seeks to encourage secondary school pupils to consider a range of career opportunities and occupations in manufacturing.

After successful pilot programmes, the initiative will be rolled-out throughout Scotland in 2003 by Careers Scotland.

Given the age range of the target audience for the programme, its overall effectiveness can only be judged in the long term. An ongoing commitment subject to evaluation and review is important.

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