Landbased engineers believe actions not words are needed to improve UKs skills base

The IETs (Institution of Engineering and Technology) fifth annual report on skills and demand in industry is a reminder that the same key issues are not improving and there appears to be no plans in place to put together a revival  strategy for developing the UKs skills base.

The report stated one in five employers stated it was a struggle to recruit new engineering graduates and the UK will need skilled engineers if it is to create a green economy with a vibrant manufacturing sector.

It also states more training needs to be provided for school leavers to develop the skills they will need in a competitive jobs market and that more needs to be done to promote apprenticeships so they are an attractive training choice for school leavers.  The report also identified that many organisations are concerned about the loss of skills through the recession.

The most commonly cited action in the report to address skills shortages was to improve the profile and image of engineering (32% of respondents) followed by improving engineering and technical degree content (22%) and improving the school curriculum (20%).

Its all very well identifying that only 47 per cent of 400 businesses believe the UK has the skills base to create a low-carbon economy and re-balance the manufacturing sector but we need actions in place too if we are going to transform the UKs industrial base, said Chris Whetnall, CEO of IAgrE.

The landbased sector has long held the view that many SMEs do not have the  resources to keep track of the ever moving goalposts of technical qualifications.

Within the landbased engineering sector, the dynamics of change are such that the industry has had to put in place a co-ordinated technician accreditation strategy (Landbased Technician Accreditation or LTA) which recognises the professional qualification of EngTech (Engineering Technician) as the standard to attain.

Providing our industry technicians with a clear career path has already started to show dividends in terms of technician retention, Chris added.

• IAgrE is the professional body for scientists, technologists, engineers, academics, managers and students working in the landbased sector and has an international membership base.
• As a licensed body of the Engineering Council (UK) and a founding Constituent Body of The Society for the Environment, IAgrE registers suitably experienced professionals as Chartered Engineers, Chartered Environmentalists, Incorporated Engineers and Engineering Technicians.