Manufacturing & technology
The manufacturing and technology sector is all about making the products and services that we need. This means producing everything from biscuits and textiles to electronics and high-tech machinery. The industry is also a key part of how we research and develop new products and services.
The sector is using more digital technology like artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics. With the drive towards sustainable and low carbon products, including energy, the manufacturing and technology industry is going to become even more important to how we live and work.
Because of the huge variety of opportunities in the sector, most people could find a job in manufacturing and technology that would suit them.
The sector makes a lot of use of advanced technologies like robotics and lasers. Because of this, there’s always a demand for skilled workers with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) qualifications. There’s also lots of roles on production lines or in quality control, in buying raw materials and working with suppliers, as well as in selling and marketing the end products.
Greater Manchester’s manufacturing industry has a long and very successful history, from early vehicle manufacturing through to new advanced materials. Famously, the new material Graphene was first isolated here. The manufacturing and technology industry in GM specialises in new ways of making chemicals, textiles, ‘green’ or clean energy, as well as food and drink.
Major manufacturing and technology employers in Greater Manchester include:
Popular jobs in manufacturing and technology
Research and development manager
Job description
Research and development (R&D) managers lead teams of scientists and engineers to create new products and improve existing ones.
Salary range
£25,000-£65,000
Working environment
University, laboratory or factory
Hours
37-39 hours a week, with possible evening and weekend work and travel
Opportunities
Within the industry, you could become a senior project manager or research director. In higher education, you could become a senior research fellow or professor.
Aerospace engineering technician
Job description
Aerospace engineering technicians design, build, test and repair civil and military aircraft.
Salary range
£20,000-£35,000
Working environment
Aircraft hanger, aircraft factory, office or laboratory
Hours
40-42 hours a week, with possible evening and shift work
Opportunities
You could move into supervisory, project management and higher management roles, or specialise in a particular field, like aircraft design.
CNC Machinist
Job description
Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinists make precision parts for the engineering and manufacturing industries. They programme CNC machines with data from technical drawings and work out the best way to carry out machining tasks.
Salary range
£15,000-£30,000
Working environment
Factory
Hours
42-44 hours a week, with possible evening, weekend and shift work
Opportunities
You could progress to a supervisory role, move into quality inspection or become an engineering technician.
Food scientist
Job description
Food scientists and food technologists develop food and drink products, and make sure they are safe to consume.
Salary range
£20,000 – £45,000
Working environment
Laboratory or research facility
Hours
40-42 hours a week, with possible evening and shift work
Opportunities
You could work for a range of organisations including food manufacturers and supermarkets, government and university, research establishments, and local authorities.
Crane driver
Job description
Crane drivers operate lifting machinery on construction, quarrying and mining sites, at ports and in warehouses.
Salary range
£15,000 – £35,000
Working environment
Construction site, quarry. At height.
Hours
50-52 hours a week, with possible evening and weekend work, sometimes away from home
Opportunities
You could progress to site manager and look after the day-to-day running of a construction or quarrying site.
Future jobs
The manufacturing and technology sector is a big user of new technology. This means companies need staff who are flexible and quick to learn. Analytical and problem-solving skills are highly valued.
Almost three quarters of the future jobs in this sector will be at Level 4+ (qualifications beyond A-levels). However, food production in the UK is expected to grow. Production line jobs in this sector need lower level qualifications, but you will need maths skills and strong attention to detail.
The manufacturing and technology sector is developing all the time. There are already opportunities to retrain as new technologies are always being developed. For example, learning how to fit new electric vehicle charging stations.
The sector always needs people with specialised skills such as accounting, sales, and digital skills. You don’t need to be an engineer or scientist to work in manufacturing and technology!
