At a glance

The UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has announced plans to introduce manufacturing and AI as subjects in secondary schools from 2028 to address skills shortages in the industry. Graham Corfield, CEO of Shropshire-based Aviramp, supports the initiative, believing it will help fill skills gaps and promote manufacturing careers. This move is significant as it aims to provide young people with vocational opportunities and support the manufacturing sector facing labour shortages.

The CEO of an award-winning Shropshire business believes education changes that will see manufacturing and AI offered as subjects in schools could have a big impact on the industry.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced plans this week for vocational subjects such as manufacturing and AI to be offered to students from year ten in secondary schools from 2028.

It comes as some areas of the manufacturing industry have long been reporting skills shortages, with around 75 per cent of UK firms citing labour and skills shortages as their top operational issues.

The aerospace and aviation engineering sector has faced issues in the UK, with the Prime Minister’s plan developed to try and give opportunities to young people while also addressing skills gaps.

Aviramp founder and CEO Graham Corfield, who went from a 16-year-old welder working with his dad in Wolverhampton, to a global exporter of aircraft boarding ramps, has seen rapid growth of his company in recent years.

The firm’s success has seen Graham named as an inspiring leader in The Manufacturer’s top 100 in 2025, with the company named in the Sunday Times’ top 100 fastest growing companies. He believes the plans can only be a positive for the sector.

He said: “Anything to help any sort of shortage with skills and aid the manufacturing industry can only be seen as a positive step.

“We have seen success and growth here at Aviramp and have excellent staff who work for us, as we meet the need of clients all over the world.

“However, there are areas of the industry that do have skills and shortage gaps, and this could be something that will help that.

“Time will tell but it is a positive step and will help to offer working in manufacturing as a career from a young age, as well as bringing through a pipeline of skilled workers well into the future for a number of businesses in the sector.”

Aviramp boarding ramps and bridges are used when an aircraft is parked on a remote stand and offer a safe, dignified alternative to stairs and separate ambulifts for wheelchair users and those passengers with reduced mobility.

Editorial insight

The government's move to introduce manufacturing and AI as part of the school curriculum from 2028 is being welcomed by industry leaders in regions with a strong manufacturing presence, such as Shropshire. This policy shift comes against a backdrop of persistent skills shortages, an issue repeatedly flagged by UK manufacturers, particularly in sectors like aerospace and engineering.

For businesses operating in these fields, the prospect of a future workforce better equipped with relevant technical skills is likely to be seen as a practical step towards addressing recruitment challenges. The changes may also help raise the profile of vocational careers among young people, providing a clearer pathway into roles that have struggled to attract new talent in recent years.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Regional impact

Shropshire Business Leader’s Reaction to Government’s Education Reform

Explore how the government's decision to include manufacturing and AI in school curriculums is being received by local businesses in Shropshire, with insights from Aviramp's CEO on potential regional benefits.

Target audience regional business publications, local newspapers Story potential 7/10 Industry trend

Addressing the UK’s Manufacturing Skills Shortage

Examine the broader implications of introducing manufacturing and AI education in schools on the UK's manufacturing sector, particularly in addressing the reported skills shortages.

Target audience industry journals, national newspapers Story potential 8/10