A TIME bomb is ticking for Bolton manufacturers who fail to engage the next generation, according to The Manufacturing Institute.

The group aims to address the problem with a drive to attract young talent.

Newly appointed education executive Nicola Eagleton is working with partners to push manufacturing towards the top of the agenda in schools, boosting awareness of the diverse range of job opportunities within industry.

Among the projects being organised are teacher placements with industry, factory visits for schools and manufacturing mentors working directly with teachers and pupils.

The institutes 2003 National Employer Skills Survey found that 95 per cent of manufacturing and engineering firms believed skill shortages adversely affected their businesses.

Ms Eagleton said: "Only around 30 out of almost 600 North West secondary schools currently offer a GCSE course in manufacturing and average pupil performance is low.

"This is just one of many areas we need to build on to address future skill shortages in the region. "We are developing links between manufacturers and local schools to ensure pupils get a real feel of what modern manufacturing can offer."