Chris Saunders: My name is Chris Saunders, I'm Managing Director of Roberts Metal Packaging Limited.
Numeracy and literacy skills are vitally important in manufacturing.
People have to be able to count for themselves, to understand simple works instructions.
Male, fluorescent jacket: These are just the instructions to tell you how to remove an engine out of a mini-bus.
As an engineer we're working off instructions all day every day.
It's just simple instructions, you've got step one to 22 and following them steps you'll have an engine removed with half an hour.
It just makes a job a lot quicker.
Male, pale blue hair net, white outfit: It's very important to write clearly.
This is the HACCP book, it stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points.
Basically it's about identifying hazards.
So it's critical it's wrote clearly and simply, easy to understand and legible cause one day it could be used in a court of law.
Chris Saunders: Good numeracy is critical on the shop floor.
Each machine operator is totally responsible for the job that they are working on in terms of producing the right amount, carrying out quality checks, measurements, dimensions.
Male, pale blue hair net, white outfit: This is a Jaffa vending stack.
It's important, we have a 3-D picture of this pattern on here and it's important we follow it so the correct amount of boxes are on the pallet and also so that it's safe in transit when it's being delivered to the warehouses and cash and carrys.
Chris Saunders: For anyone considering manufacturing or engineering as a profession, numeracy and literacy skills are now a pre-requisite.
More and more we require a higher and higher level of these skills in order to carry out our day to day jobs.
Quick tips for tutors
These resources cover some of the literacy and numeracy skills that may be needed to work in manufacturing and garage. They also signpost to further websites to find more information about this vocational area. All the resources can be cross-referenced to the national adult literacy or numeracy curriculum and will also be relevant for learners on functional skills courses.
Downloadable Factsheets
Entry 1 & 2 - Tyre pressure charts
An introduction to tyre pressure charts.
Entry 3 - Keeping records in manufacturing
How to record dates and times in both the 12 hour and 24 hour clock, in the context of keeping accurate records in manufacturing.
Entry 3 - Working in manufacturing
Summary of career opportunities in manufacturing, including its wide range of workplaces.
Level 1 - Useful words for manufacturing
A summary of common words used in manufacturing, including tips for remembering how to spell them.
Level 1 - Writing accident reports in manufacturing
How to write an accident report in manufacturing, and the importance of accuracy and using appropriate language.
Downloadable Worksheets
Entry 3 - Written records in manufacturing
Exercise in completing an accident report to develop your written skills in manufacturing.
Entry 3 - Skills for manufacturing
Assess your skills for work-related tasks in manufacturing by completing this chart.
Level 1 - Recording times in manufacturing
Exercise in recording times of when the temperature was checked and minutes since the last check.
Level 1 - Manufacturing words in use
Play a game and fill in the gaps choosing the correct manufacturing words and writing manufacturing words in context.
