Parliament wants to hear from engineering employers

. In the course of its in-depth inquiry into Engineering, announced in January 2008, the Committee has heard from a wide range of individuals and organisations but it is keen to hear directly from those working in firms of all sizes and in all sectors of engineering. The web-forum offers participants the opportunity to express their opinions on the future of engineering in the UK; the challenges and opportunities facing engineering companies; Government support for engineering employers; and the recruitment of staff in the sector. Views posted online will inform the recommendations the Committee makes to the Government in its final report. It is therefore an opportunity to contribute to the formulation of policy affecting the future of UK engineering. Chairman of the Committee, Mr Phil Willis, said: “We want to hear what life is really like for engineering companies in the UK. Can they get the recruits they need? Is Government policy helping them to develop or is there one key change which would make all the difference? What do companies think about the national bodies which seek to represent their views to politicians like us? And what about the image and status of engineers in the UK? Why can few outside the industry name a famous engineer born after Brunel and does it matter? “This is your chance to influence our recommendations on how Government policy might best serve the engineering sector and we hope that as many companies as possible will participate.” The forum will run from midday on 17 September 2008 to 24 October 2008. The URL for the forum is: http://forums.parliament.uk/uk-engineering