Engineering apprenticeships drop 12%
2 Dec 2013
The number of people aged under 19 taking engineering-related Advanced Level Apprenticeships has fallen by 12.2%, according to a new report.
EngineeringUK, formerly known as the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), has revealed in its annual report that the number of students taking such courses fell by 6.4% across every age group in the 2011/12 academic year, with the highest fall of 12.2% among under 19s in 2011/12.
Provisional data reveals this same age group saw a year-on-year fall of 8.1% to 14,960 apprenticeships in 2012/13.
The report findings and recommendations are the basis of a roundtable meeting being held at No. 11 Downing Street today.
Minister for Skills and Enterprise Matthew Hancock MP is discussing the imperatives of a skilled engineering talent-pipeline with leading business and industry representatives, including BAE Systems, BT Technology, National Grid, Rolls-Royce and Shell UK.
Positive action has been taken to address the skills gap at all levels
EngineeringUK chief executive Paul Jackson
EngineeringUK chief executive, Paul Jackson, said: “Positive action has been taken to address the skills gap at all levels. The recent Perkins review and announcement of investment in universities and further education colleges’ science and engineering facilities will build a foundation to accelerate skills growth in the sector.”
However, away from the under 19 category there was more positive news from the provisional data for 2012/13: across all ages apprenticeships rose by 1.3% to 37,500, up from 37,030 in 2011/12; this growth came from the 19-24 year old category, which grew by 1.3% to 14,480, and the over 25 category, which grew by 23.4% to 8,070.
“The overall growth in Advanced Level Apprenticeships is driven by engineers aged 25+, which suggests that UK engineering businesses are taking positive action to ensure current employees are qualified to the right level,” said Jackson.
“Undoubtedly other engineering related level 3 vocational qualifications will feed into the future supply of skilled technicians and engineers and should be linked to business. However, as these findings show, it is vital we focus on attracting new talent into the industry. As the UK economy’s engine for growth, it is crucial that engineering gains sustained support for education, training and careers inspiration.”
