A company based in Ulverston has been handed a national award for its role in inspiring the next generation of manufacturers.

The Oxley Group, which specialises in the production of LED lighting and electronics for the defence industry, won the Developing Future Talent category at Make UK's National Manufacturing Awards.

The firm, based in Ulverston since 1942, impressed judges with their 'determined' approach to navigating the area's 'difficult' skills landscape.

Jayne Moorby, head of marketing at Oxley Group, said: "We’re delighted to have been recognised for this prestigious award, it’s a credit to all of the team for the work they do developing young people within the business and through outreach work in the community.

“At Oxley we believe in collaboration and our success in developing future talent has been achieved through working in partnership."

The firm’s ‘Grow Our Own’ programme sets out a 10-pillar plan involving a wide range of outreach initiatives, in collaboration with local schools, colleges, universities, careers advisers, BAE Systems and other SMEs in the area, to boost STEM interest among young people.

The Westmorland Gazette: Stephen Phipson, the Chief Executive of Make UK, presented the team with the awardStephen Phipson, the Chief Executive of Make UK, presented the team with the award (Image: Make UK)

The team at Oxley believed that their achievement was made more notable by the fact that the population of working age people in the region had declined by 15,000 over a decade according to the 2021 census.

They also acknowledged the challenges that come with competing against neighbours BAE Systems, whose submarine site in Barrow is looking to recruit more people than ever.

The company currently has 14 apprentices on its books and boasts a 48% female workforce, exceeding its own target of 30%.

The Westmorland Gazette: The awards ceremony was held in the lavish setting of St Paul's CathedralThe awards ceremony was held in the lavish setting of St Paul's Cathedral (Image: Make UK)

"We also believe in inclusive growth and enabling every young person to have access to the high skilled and high value roles available in manufacturing," Mrs Moorby added.

“Oxley has been in Cumbria for over 80 years, by investing in developing future talent we will be thriving here in another 80 years.”