Southport MP John Pugh is encouraging employers in the area to work with universities and schools/colleges to tackle the engineering skills gap.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) published a report which revealed 61 per cent of employers are least satisfied with skills among graduates, and two thirds are concerned the education system will struggle to keep up with the skills required for technological change.
The report also highlights that while over half of employers say they are recruiting engineering staff this year, 64% claim a shortage of engineers in the UK is a threat to their business.
IET Chief Executive, Nigel Fine, explains: “Demand for engineers in the UK remains high, with supply unable to keep pace – and employers continuing to highlight skills shortages as a major concern.
“Stronger and deeper collaboration between employers and academic institutions is needed to agree practical steps to ensure that young people are suitably prepared both academically and practically before they start work.
“Supporting and encouraging teachers and academics to spend time in industry – and employers to visit schools, colleges and universities – would also be hugely beneficial.
“MPs are ideally placed to help us capitalise on this opportunity by helping to get more employers involved with the education system at a local level so that we produce a talent pipeline that can sustain a thriving UK economy.”
Submit News Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321
Email ots@otsnews.co.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/otsnews.co.uk
Twitter www.twitter.com/onthespot_news
Breaking local news as it happens, searchable archives with photographs, the ability to instantly comment on news articles – there are so many advantages to OTS (Onthespot) News.
If you want your news read locally online then send it to ots@otsnews.co.uk – relying only on the newspaper is to restrict yourself to an ever reducing audience.
OTS News on Social Media