Five Business students from City of Westminster College were among the guests at the formal launch of the ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign to highlight the best of British manufacturing and encourage more young people to consider a career within this dynamic and highly successful UK sector.

The campaign was launched by Secretary of State Vince Cable and Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk on Tuesday 15 November and has backing from leading figures in British manufacturing. It includes a national competition to find the most exciting pre-market products and processes and a Science Museum exhibition that will coincide with the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business students invited to the launch are also members of City of Westminster College’s Young Enterprise Team Company programme, which means they are already involved in running their own real company and have an interest in entrepreneurship. Attending the launch gave them the opportunity to experience a high-profile business event, participate in a range of manufacturing-focused and fun activities and meet people involved in manufacturing industries – including a team of Ford Motor Company apprentices.

City of Westminster College student Alysia Alam, 17, from Chigwell says this event has made her reconsider her options: "I wasn't really sure what to expect – and I didn't think apprenticeships and manufacturing were for girls. But then I chatted with a female apprentice from Ford and she explained how she got into manufacturing. It sounds like a perfect fit for me too - especially as I'm more into doing than studying for exams. This has really opened my mind to options other than A-levels and university and I am now seriously considering an apprenticeship myself."

Lecturer Soydul Jamal, who accompanied the students to the ‘Make it in Great Britain’ event, says: “It’s important that our students gain insights into the wide range of career options open to them – including the exciting UK manufacturing sector – so it was a great privilege to be invited to participate in the launch of such a high-profile and inspiring nationwide campaign.”

To find out more about ‘Make it in Great Britain’ visit www.bis.gov.uk/makeitingreatbritain