Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East
Thurrock, rose on the floor of Westminster Hall last week to encourage the
Government to take a more systematic approach to educating tomorrow’s
engineers.
The debate followed a report by the Science and Technology
Committee, of which Mr Metcalfe is a member, which urged the Government to do
more to ensure that there are enough skilled engineers to take us into the
future.
The UK is home to more than
500,000 engineering companies, employing 5.4 million people, of whom 2.3
million would consider themselves to be skilled engineers. The industry
accounts for one fifth of GDP and turns over £1.15 trillion a year making it
vital to the country’s economic prosperity.
The local MP commented: “As it stands, there is a chronic
shortage of skilled engineers to meet our increasingly complex needs. Companies
across the industry are reporting this as a problem and for some, it is stopping
them expanding which course is not good for our economy.”
“This is not just a national issue, it is a vital local
issue. Basildon and Thurrock have a fantastic engineering heritage. I am
extremely proud to have companies such as SELEX, Case New Holland, Ford,
Gardner Aerospace and DP World in my constituency which is why it is paramount
that we provide them with an army of skilled workers to build on this heritage
for the future.”
Engineering UK project that there will be 2.74 million job
openings between 2010-2020 whilst the Confederation of British Industry report
that 42% of employers are currently experiencing difficulties in recruiting
STEM staff at all levels.
Mr Metcalfe pushed through a recommendation in the report
asking the Government to work with learned societies, professional engineering
institutions and trade bodies and oblige their members to systematically go
into schools to promote engineering and technology.
He also praised DP World’s London Gateway new apprenticeship
scheme which will see six apprentices earn a salary whilst gaining nationally
recognised engineering qualifications.
The local MP added: “We must
start equipping our young people with the skills they need to meet the
challenges of the future. I am delighted that DP World are doing this and I
would encourage engineering firms across the board to the same.”
“Another way in which we can
do this is through University Technical Colleges. These have been extremely
successful in offering young people a unique insight into the industry and I
would love to see one in Basildon. I will continue to raise this with the
Government and more generally, I will do all I can to ensure that we have a
framework in place that will allow the next generation of engineers to take our
society forward.”
