The manufacturing skills gap in the UK continues to grow, threatening sector resilience and innovation. With around 61,000 manufacturing vacancies and nearly one in five engineers set to retire by 2026, bridging this talent shortfall is critical. At Flambeau Europe, we’re helping close this gap by inspiring young people at East Kent school career fairs.
Working with EBP Kent: Bringing Employers to Young People
We partnered with Education Business Partnership Kent (EBP Kent) to support two careers fairs at Royal Harbour Academy and St George’s C of E Foundation School. EBP Kent creates hands-on employer–school links, helping students discover real-world careers and personal skills. They hold the National Quality Award and are part of the Institute for Education Business Excellence, equipping young Kent students with future-ready knowledge.
🌐 Learn more: EBP Kent
Engaging with Students: Real Conversations, Real Impact
Schools We Visited
- Royal Harbour Academy
- St. George’s Church of England Foundation School
- Hartsdown Academy
From Year 7 to Sixth Form, students engaged directly with our team, speaking about the range of roles available—from engineering and quality assurance to tooling and operations.
What Students Asked
- “How do you get into a career in engineering?”
- “What kind of machinery do you work with?”
- “Is manufacturing just repetitive work?”
These conversations helped dispel myths about manufacturing and highlighted its creativity, variety, and innovation.
A Stand That Stood Out: Making Manufacturing Tangible
Our Booth Setup
- Vibrant Flambeau banners
- Product samples: Makita power-tool cases, Stadium Building Products, and desktop container examples
- Fire-fly favourite: mini Flexi‑Tubs in blue and glow-in-the-dark green.
The Flexi‑Tub Effect
These reusable tubs were a massive hit; students came in droves to pick one up, which also served as a great conversation starter, while teachers repeatedly popped back for more! Their popularity created a natural way to spark discussions about component design and real-world applications.
Why This Matters: Addressing the UK Skills Gap
The UK manufacturing and engineering sectors face two key challenges:
- A large portion of the workforce is nearing retirement (approx. 20% by 2026) ft.com
- A persistent skills shortage, with 97% of manufacturers struggling to recruit and retain talent reuters.com+11themanufacturer.com+11businessinsider.com+11
Moreover, only 9% of engineers are aged 16–24, compared to 11.7% in other sectors engineeringuk.com—a sign that fewer young people are entering engineering. That makes early outreach vital.
By participating in careers fairs, Flambeau Europe helps:
- Showcasing manufacturing as a modern, creative and rewarding field
- Sparking curiosity with tangible demonstrations
- Supporting regional STEM and vocational pathways across Kent
But this is about more than just our business — it’s about the future of our industry. The manufacturing skills gap is a growing concern, with studies showing that nearly 36% of vacancies in skilled trades go unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants (Make UK, 2024). At the same time, around 20% of the manufacturing workforce is expected to retire by 2026, adding even greater urgency to invest in youth engagement and skills development.
Looking Ahead: Building the Future of UK Manufacturing
As a UK-based plastic injection moulding business, Flambeau Europe delivers complete bespoke solutions, from providing precision tools to fully assembled retail product supply chain support. Discover more on our About Us page or explore our services and capabilities.
We’re not just talking about afternoon events, we’re investing in the next generation of engineers and technical talent.
Careers at Flambeau: Always Open to Conversation
We’re always on the lookout for enthusiastic individuals, whether school leavers, graduates, or career changers. If you’re keen on joining a company that values innovation, skill development, and community, let’s talk.
🔗 Explore careers and join our team
As the UK builds its future workforce, Flambeau Europe is committed to bridging the gap between school and industry, and ensuring manufacturing continues to thrive through fresh perspectives, technical excellence, and meaningful engagement.
