Employers unite over engineering skills shortage
More than 100 employers from the likes of Airbus, BAE, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Siemens and Toyota are gathering at the House of Lords today to promote investment in engineering and manufacturing skills.
The Employer Ownership event, organised by Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing, will hear from leading industrialists on how they are rising to the skills challenge facing the UK economy.
Employers will be urged to take ownership of skills and work together to help drive an increase in the recruitment of apprentices and graduates, as well as up-skilling the current workforce.
Juergen Maier, a member of Semta's board and managing director of Siemens UK Industry Sector will address delegates about what is required to rebalance the UK economy, Siemens' plans and the opportunities that it will create for firms within the supply chain. He commented: "Currently we get approximately 14 applicants for every technical apprenticeship we advertise. That could lure us into thinking there is no challenge, but we know the picture will dramatically change in five years time, so we, along with our supply chain, need to act."
Lynn Tomkins, Semta's UK operations director, added: "The range of companies and organisations who are attending this event shows how employers are helping to shape the system. The advanced manufacturing and engineering sector is key to the government's growth plan and working in partnership is the best way to ensure the sector priorities and needs are addressed."
