Called Engineering UK 2008, the report highlights that there will be demand for an estimated 72,000 technicians and operators by 2022, and only 31,600 apprentices are estimated to go into the sectors and fill these roles.
The ETB suggests that the best solution and opportunity for companies to address these skill shortages lies in expanding and developing Further Education and Apprenticeship opportunities.
The ETB arrived at this conclusion from the findings of an LSC survey by Ipsos MORI. The research company found only 10 per cent of employers participating in the apprenticeship programme have requested additional apprentices, and 25 per cent of learners on the apprenticeship programme are able to find an employer.
Dr John Morton, Chief Executive of the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), said: “Whilst the UK does need to maintain and develop an increasingly knowledge-based economy to compete globally, Engineering UK 2008 reveals that our most pressing need is for intermediate skills at an operational level. If we want to remain competitive and ensure our world class knowledge-base continues to evolve apace, we must rapidly expand and develop our Further Education and apprenticeship programmes to ensure that we have enough skilled technicians coming through the system. The new engineering diploma is a great step forward but we must make sure we back it up with support at all levels of vocational education training.”
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Date Published: December 09, 2008
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