1. Career Progression Pathways Advanced Manufacturing
37 per cent of workers aged 50+ indicating an above average ageing workforce. With a significant number of workers due to retire, this will leave a gap for younger people to move into this sector
Manufacturing involves the production of goods from raw materials to completed products. Advanced manufacturing involves the use of technology to improve products and processes.
Average annual gross pay in the North West for manufacturing in 2016 was £28,253 – higher than the national average of £27,430
 Advanced manufacturing makes a vital contribution to the local and national economy. The sector, broadly defined, covers a wide range of activity including chemicals and pharmaceuticals, automotive, metal products, electronics and manufactured fuels.
Change management skills and cross functional management skills are seen as being key to the success of businesses going forward
This sector is at the forefront of new technologies collectively known as the 4th Industrial Revolution. Industry 4.0 technologies such as sensors, virtual reality, simulation and Artificial Intelligence are transforming modern manufacturing.
Key initiatives in this area include LCR4.0 which is a UK manufacturing first, providing support to businesses to help transform production in the modern world economy and part funded by ERDF. This is providing opportunities for our local employers to take advantage of the support on offer.
This will provide exciting career opportunities driven by the automation and digitisation of processes, meaning there will be an increasing reliance on a higher skilled technical and professional workforce.
A ‘Made Smarter’ North West Pilot has been announced, investing £20m in the North West region to benefit local companies by helping them to understand the challenges and opportunities in this sector – this region of the UK is seen as being at the forefront of this nationally.
Will there be opportunities?
Workforce statistics in 2016 indicated around 47,200 jobs in this sector, accounting for 6.6 per cent of Liverpool City Region employment.
Careers in this sector will undoubtedly benefit from technological advances and a key challenge for manufacturing is maintaining competitiveness in the context of Brexit and shifting international markets.
Jobs grew by 4,340 between 2010 and 2016, with variation across sub sectors.
Production Operative
A production operative, also known as a machine operative, uses equipment to assist with manufacturing, packaging, and other steps along a production line.
Other jobs:
Machine operative, assembly line operative, production assistant, QC operative, packaging and despatch
Manufacturing Shift Supervisor
Manufacturing shift supervisors typically work in manufacturing plants where they supervise workers, oversee maintenance operations and maintain workplace safety
Other jobs:
Operations supervisor, shift supervisor, safety advisor, shift team leader, clerk of works
Research & Development Technician (R&D)
A research and development technician is responsible for assisting a researcher or research team with product development projects. They compute formulas, percentages or production-specific factors using chemical and mathematical procedures.
Laboratory Technician, Development Chemist
Operations Director
Directs and coordinates the internal structure of an organisation based on company policies, goals, and objectives to ensure an efficient working environment and that deadlines are met consistently.
Customer operations, business to business sales operations, operational training team manager

2. Educational Level Example Qualification Typical Earnings / Role
Entry Level
Involves building basic knowledge and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations.
Entry Level Award, Certificate or Diploma
Entry Level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Entry Level Essential or Functional Skills
Skills for Life
Level 1
Involves activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence.
First Certificate
GCSE grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
Level 1 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 1 ESOL
Level 1 Essential or Functional Skills
Level 1 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
Music grades 1, 2 and 3
Level 2
Involves building knowledge and skills in relation to an area of work or subject area for many roles.
CSE grade 1
GCSE grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*-C
Intermediate Apprenticeship
Level 2 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 2 Essential or Functional Skills
Level 2 National Certificate or Diploma
Level 2 NVQ / Level 2 ESOL
Music Grades 4 and 5
O Level Grade A, B or C
Level 3
Involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is for people wishing to go to university, working on their own or supervising others.
A Level / AS Level
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Advanced Apprenticeship
Applied General
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Level 3 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 3 National Certificate or Diploma
Level 3 NVQ / Level 3 ESOL
Music Grades 6, 7 and 8
Tech Level
Level 4
For people working in technical and professional jobs and/or managing and developing others
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
Higher Apprenticeship
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Level 4 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 4 NVQ
Level 5
For people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers
Diploma of Higher Education
Foundation Degree
Higher National Diploma (HND)
Level 5 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 5 NVQ
Level 6
Involves the achievement of high level of professional knowledge and is for people working as knowledge based/management professionals
Degree Apprenticeship
Degree with Honours e.g. Batchelor of the Arts (BA) hons; Batchelor of Science (BSc) hons
Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma
Level 6 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 6 NVQ
Ordinary Degree without honours
Level 7
Integrated Master’s Degree e.g. Master of Engineering (MEng)
Level 7 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 7 NVQ
Master’s Degree eg MA or MSc
Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate in Education PGCE
Level 8
Doctorate e.g. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil)
Level 8 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Salaries starting from £12,000+
Salaries starting from £12,000+
Salaries starting from £14,000+
Salaries starting from £16,000+
Salaries starting from £18,000+
Salaries starting from £22,000+
Salaries starting from £25,000+
Salaries starting from £30,000+
Salaries starting from £35,000+
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