Skills sector must maintain support

Chancellor George Osborne revealed yesterday that the government was to create 30,000 new student places in publicly-funded higher education institutions and extra funding of £50 million per academic year for the teaching of STEM subjects.

The government also intends to provide a further contribution of £40 million to deliver an additional 20,000 higher apprenticeships from 2013-14.

Institute of Engineering & Technology head of policy Paul Davies said: “Science, engineering and technology have fared well in the Autumn Statement. This shows that the issue is high on the government agenda and recognises the importance these fields have to the British economy.”

Young people need to be inspired and aspire to become world-class engineers

IChemE chief executive David Brown

Similarly, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has welcomed the news “as another positive step in the right direction”.

However, industry bodies have also urged the government to remain focused in its support of STEM disciplines to ensure the skills gap is successfully bridged.

“The government must not be complacent and will need to monitor that the extra funding for teaching science, technology and engineering, and the increase in apprenticeships, translates into talented, qualified and skilled engineers who can fill the critical skills shortage that we face in the industry today,” Davies said.

The overall message, though, is one of positivity and engineering representatives have been asked to remain supportive of young engineering talent.

IChemE chief executive David Brown said: “Young people need to be inspired and aspire to become world-class engineers. This cannot be achieved without sponsorship, placements and engagement with young people and the education sector.”