Local MP supports call for employers and universities to work together to tackle engineering skills gap

JOHN Pugh MP for Southport is supporting a call for employers in the area to work with universities; and schools and colleges; to tackle the engineering skills gap, following the launch of the Institution of Engineering and Technology's (IET), 2015 Skills and Demand in Industry report.

The report reveals that 61% of employers are least satisfied with skills among graduates and that 66% are concerned that the education system will struggle to keep up with the skills required for technological change. The report also highlights that while 53% of employers say they are recruiting engineering staff this year, 64% claim a shortage of engineers in the UK is a threat to their business.

The 2015 Skills & Demand in Industry report was formally launched at an event at Parliament on Wednesday, 21 October 2015. All 650 MPs were invited to the parliamentary reception to support the recommendations made in the report and to urge employers in their constituencies to work proactively with universities.

IET Chief Executive, Nigel Fine, explains:- "Demand for engineers in the UK remains high, with supply unable to keep pace; and employers continuing to highlight skills shortages as a major concern. Stronger and deeper collaboration between employers and academic institutions is needed to agree practical steps to ensure that young people are suitably prepared both academically and practically before they start work. Supporting and encouraging teachers and academics to spend time in industry; and employers to visit schools, colleges and universities; would also be hugely beneficial. MPs are ideally placed to help us capitalise on this opportunity by helping to get more employers involved with the education system at a local level so that we produce a talent pipeline that can sustain a thriving UK economy."

This is the tenth year that the IET has published its skills report and the role of education comes under the spotlight, together with ongoing diversity issues in engineering and a lack of both available graduates and more experienced engineering staff.

Other findings from the report include:-

► 68% are having most difficulty recruiting senior engineers with 5 to 10 years' experience.

► 75% do not have LGBT/ ethnic diversity initiatives in place.

► 53% feel that Government initiatives for recruiting apprentices are not straightforward.

► 94% recognise they have a responsibility to support employee transition to the workplace.

► Women account for only 9% of the UK engineering workforce.

► 57% of employers do not have gender diversity initiatives in place.

MPs also had the opportunity to have themselves 3D printed with the help of this year's IET Faraday Challenge Day winners and they also met winners of the IET's 1st Lego League competition.

Competitions like the First® Lego® League inspire young people to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects; helping to address the skills challenge highlighted by the IET's Skills and Demand in Industry report.