There remains the need to address a skills shortage for the next generation of the workface through STEM initiatives at schools and to offer flexible further education that will allow young people to pursue a career in modern industry.
To that end, the announcement of the UK Industrial Strategy Green Paper in late January is very welcome. It is particularly good to see the attention and importance of STEM and skills development.
Continued investment in upskilling the existing workforce so that they can fulfill the needs of today’s industrial environment is at the heart of a comprehensive and forward looking approach.
There's no doubt in my mind that only by taking the lead on such issues will the UK maintain a competitive and sustainable industrial sector in the face of fierce global competition.
In 2017, UK industry needs to chart a course through skills issues, Brexit maneuvers and global trends, and there’s every reason to believe it is more than capable of doing just that.
My stoic optimism is best evidenced by the UK automotive industry.
Car manufacture has long been held up as a guide to the overall health of UK industry and companies such as Jaguar Land Rover are continuing to invest in world-class facilities and seeing gains in efficiency, productivity and a steady rise in profits as a result.
This is no fluke and demonstrates that the UK is capable of doing much more than just keeping its head above water.
So, while we may have to navigate some choppy waters in 2017, there’s no reason to think that the UK won’t continue do what it’s always done – that’s work hard and come up with great products and services that the rest of the world wants to buy.
And while I’m reluctant to be drawn on any specific promises about UK industry in 2017, I am willing to go on the record and say that I think it’ll be Lewis Hamilton who ends the year as F1 World Champion in his British-made Mercedes.
The details of whatever else happens between now and November’s title decider are anyone’s guess, but you can hold me to this one!