Is skilled manufacture still a benefit to modern society as a whole or does it only benefit those who can afford it? Is it something that is worth protecting and if so what is the best way to go about it? These were some of the questions raised from Craig Whittet's talk on the Demise of Skilled Manufacturing.
Products that are made using skilled manufacturing techniques exude a personality that can rarely be found in machine made, mass produced products. As such, the terms 'hand made' or 'hand finished' are usually associated with high end, expensive items aimed at the very wealthy, but is this necessarily the case? Some would argue that despite the initial expense of purchasing the product, items made using skilled manufacturing techniques can offer better value for money to the average consumer.
A product made in a workshop by hand is generally expected to last much longer than the factory made equivalent. A certain level of quality is assumed and products can sometimes be expected to last for the life of the user. If the product becomes damaged, it can be returned to the workshop where the skills are on hand to repair it. In contrast, a mass produced item is designed and built to a strict cost which can compromise the quality of the product. Furthermore, it is often designed with a built in obsolescence so after a given time it will break with no chance of repair.
As a result, in the long term it can be less expensive to buy one high quality product made by skilled workers that will last for several decades than several cheaper mass produced versions over the same time period.
Another advantage that comes with skilled manufacture is that products can be completely customised to the user's requirements. Whilst mass produced products can be made in a range of sizes and configurations, they can never be bespoke in the same way a hand crafted product can. This becomes particularly important when it comes to shoes and clothing. A shop bought jacket will never fit as comfortably as a tailor-made one.
A product made in a workshop by hand is generally expected to last much longer than the factory made equivalent. A certain level of quality is assumed and products can sometimes be expected to last for the life of the user. If the product becomes damaged, it can be returned to the workshop where the skills are on hand to repair it. In contrast, a mass produced item is designed and built to a strict cost which can compromise the quality of the product. Furthermore, it is often designed with a built in obsolescence so after a given time it will break with no chance of repair.
As a result, in the long term it can be less expensive to buy one high quality product made by skilled workers that will last for several decades than several cheaper mass produced versions over the same time period.
Another advantage that comes with skilled manufacture is that products can be completely customised to the user's requirements. Whilst mass produced products can be made in a range of sizes and configurations, they can never be bespoke in the same way a hand crafted product can. This becomes particularly important when it comes to shoes and clothing. A shop bought jacket will never fit as comfortably as a tailor-made one.
A pair of bespoke Tricker's Boots, an example of skilled manufacturing in practice
If nothing else, it is important to preserve skills just for the sake of restoring and repairing existing items. However, I think there are many more important reasons for retaining them. Skills and crafts have shaped society throughout history. Many modern surnames such as Turner and Smith come from historical family trades. To lose these specialist skills that have been passed down and honed over many lifetimes would be a great shame. Products and technologies come and go but there will always be a demand for bespoke, high quality products.
With increasing numbers of products being mass produced, the rise of CNC machines and with widely available 3D printing on the horizon, there is a real danger of skills that have been developed over hundreds of years passing into obscurity. So what can be done to safeguard them?
The crafts required for skilled work are usually taught through apprenticeships. In his talk, Craig Whittet put forward the idea that low wages are putting off young job seekers from joining and staying in apprenticeship schemes. This would mean that skills are not being passed on to younger generations. To remedy this, he suggested that apprentices' pay should be subsidised by the government to bring it in line with other jobs that typically employ young people.
Currently, an incentive of up to £1500 is available to small UK employers for each apprentice that they take on. However, no funding is being offered to the apprentices themselves. The current minimum wage for apprentices is £2.68 per hour. Perhaps this figure needs to be re-evaluated to encourage young workers to stay in apprenticeships for the full course. Time and wages invested in an apprentice that leaves is essentially money wasted for the employer. A higher wage might increase retention rates.
The crafts required for skilled work are usually taught through apprenticeships. In his talk, Craig Whittet put forward the idea that low wages are putting off young job seekers from joining and staying in apprenticeship schemes. This would mean that skills are not being passed on to younger generations. To remedy this, he suggested that apprentices' pay should be subsidised by the government to bring it in line with other jobs that typically employ young people.
Currently, an incentive of up to £1500 is available to small UK employers for each apprentice that they take on. However, no funding is being offered to the apprentices themselves. The current minimum wage for apprentices is £2.68 per hour. Perhaps this figure needs to be re-evaluated to encourage young workers to stay in apprenticeships for the full course. Time and wages invested in an apprentice that leaves is essentially money wasted for the employer. A higher wage might increase retention rates.
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