Sector insights: Skills and performance challenges in the advanced manufacturing sector

This report examines skills and performance challenges facing the advanced manufacturing sector with an emphasis on the mix of skills needed in specific occupations, as well as employer awareness of and engagement with National Occupational Standards (NOS). This project forms part of the Sector Insights research undertaken by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). The overall aim of the programme is to examine skills and performance challenges across a range of industry sectors of critical importance for the UK economy. This study focuses on five key occupations that are prevalent in advanced manufacturing industries, and which represent a cross-section of skills levels: production managers and directors in manufacturing; biological scientists and biochemists; production and process engineers; metal working production and maintenance fitters; assemblers of electric and electronic products.