Manufacturing remains an important part of the local economy and West Yorkshire has more manufacturing companies than most other areas of the UK.

While the number of people working in basic manufacturing has fallen, that in advanced manufacturing has grown, particularly in the Leeds City Region, in contrast to the national trend.

Despite the growth, two key areas need addressing if industry is going to be competitive.

Firstly companies need to interest young people, and those who influence their career choices, to look at manufacturing as an option.

Whether recruiting apprentices or graduates, employers want to attract the best and can offer good career paths, yet a job in manufacturing is often regarded as something for the lower achievers.

The talent pool simply is not as strong as it should be. In Bradford, an Industrial Centre of Excellence for manufacturing is being developed and that should help.

It’s a vocationally focussed school that will engage with manufacturers, allowing them to influence the curriculum and engaging with them to give true work experience to young people while they’re still at school.

The other concern is the lack of investment in innovation by local companies. Less than a quarter invest in research and development; 30 per cent saw no reason to innovate and only 13 per cent looked for help from universities or other companies. The main barriers were seen as the direct cost, the availability and cost of finance and the economic risks.

Engaging with those outside the business may be the best way to address both staff and innovation issues.