Manufacturing
Manufacturing is a sector which is affected more than most by globalisation: not only does it rely heavily on export sales, but its raw materials are frequently sourced overseas. Add to that, international takeovers and mergers, the trend towards outsourcing and the logistics of global supply chains and you can see how valuable the ability to speak another language might be in this business. Languages and cultural skills are highly valued whether in the sales, secretarial or technical context.
1. Find a manufactured product with a label (such as a piece of clothing or a cosmetics bottle). Where was the product made? What company made it, and where is it located? Do the instructions for use come in different languages? Can you recognise which languages they are? What does all this tell you about the company, its production process and its markets? How many languages do you think are used in the business altogether?
2. A Somerset leather manufacturing company imports its raw materials from South America, Africa and the Middle East and exports its products to over 30 countries around the world. Which languages do you think it uses most? In which types of jobs within the company? Find out more on the RLN South West website.
3. Do you know any manufacturing companies based near you? Do you know if they trade with any foreign countries and how they use languages? Go to the employment case studies on the CILT website and click on ‘manufacturing’ to find a company in your area which is using languages.