Failure to meet demand for new engineering skills could cost the UK £27 billion a year, according to new research.
The results of a study undertaken by Engineering UK said to meet projected employer demand, the number of engineering apprentices and graduates entering the industry will need to double.
Alastair Taylor, CEO of IAgrE said, “Engineering is central to ensuring economic growth and also plays a major role in helping tackle global challenges such as climate change, health, food security, biodiversity, water security, population and energy security.”
On behalf of the engineering community Engineering UK has made the following calls for collaborative action across government, engineering businesses, the education sector and the wider engineering community need to realise these recommendations:
• Double the number of engineering graduates or increase number of engineering and technology and other related STEM graduates by 50%
• Double the number of young people studying GCSE physics as part of triple sciences and grow the number of students studying physics A level or equivalent to equal that of maths.
• Increase two-fold number of Advanced Apprenticeships achievements in engineering and manufacturing technology, construction planning and the built environment and information and communication technologies
• Provide career inspirations for all 11-14 year olds, including opportunities for every child to have at least one engineering experience with an employer.
• Support for teachers and careers advisors delivering careers information
“IAgrE supports the call for collaborative action across Government, business, the education sector and the wider engineering community to address the shortage of engineering skills.
"Agriculture and agricultural engineering are forward-looking sectors. If we are to meet the challenges of climate change and food security we must act now to address these issues,” Alastair added.
