An inquiry is being launched by the government to assess the decline in engineering, manufacturing and technology apprenticeships nationally across the UK
Ministers from both Labour and Conservative parties are coming together with the charity EngineeringUK, to launch an inquiry to uncover the reasons behind the ‘worrying’ decline in engineering, manufacturing and technology apprenticeships seen across the UK.
The sector is struggling with an acute skills shortage, so the government wishes to understand the decline in apprenticeship uptake better and find solutions to help with the growing UK workforce.
Employers, training providers and young people are urged to take part in ‘call for evidence’ to tackle the skills shortage – which correlates poorly with the growing demand for engineers and technicians – submitting their views, evidence, or ideas to improve this much-needed career pathway into the sector.
The inquiry will look to identify vital solutions which could help to increase the number and diversity of young people taking up apprenticeships in the sector. The call for evidence is open until 27 February 2023.
A 34% decline in engineering and manufacturing technologies
Though there was a minor uptick in numbers last year, engineering-related apprenticeship starts in England are still 9% lower than in 2014/15. Additionally, there has been a worrying 34% decline in engineering and manufacturing technologies.
Lord Willetts, Inquiry co-chair and former Conservative Minister for Universities and Science, comments, “Apprenticeships, especially in engineering and technology, enjoy enormous political and media support and are a crucial route into work for many people. Meanwhile, the number of young people actually doing these apprenticeships is falling.
“Our inquiry will draw on expert evidence to understand why this is happening and what can be done about it so that we can grow and sustain the opportunities that apprenticeships offer to young people. I am delighted to be co-chairing this inquiry not least because my father ran the apprenticeship programme for a Midlands engineering firm.”
The fall in young people taking up engineering and technology apprenticeships is an urgent problem
Lord Knight, Inquiry co-chair and former Labour Education and Employment Minister, added: “Britain must transition towards a more sustainable and productive economy. The skills shortage is a dragging anchor on that transition, particularly in key areas such as engineering.
“The fall in young people taking up engineering and technology apprenticeships is an urgent problem, and I am delighted to be working with David Willetts and EngineeringUK to fully investigate where the problems lie and what can be done to fix them.”
What are the 4 key areas in the call for evidence?
- Opportunities
- What part do apprenticeships play in helping to meet the UK’s skills needs in engineering and technology?
- State of play
- What are the reasons behind the overall decline in engineering apprenticeship starts in recent years? We are particularly interested in understanding more about supply and demand.
- Barriers
- What are the barriers for businesses taking on young people as apprentices and what are the barriers for young people in accessing them?
- Solutions
- What do you think needs to change to help increase the number and diversity of young people taking up and completing engineering and technology apprenticeships?
“We urge the sector, as well youth training providers and organisations, to show their support for this important inquiry”
Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK said: “Given the pressing need for more engineers and technicians in the UK, now and into the future, we urgently need more young people to start and complete apprenticeships in the sector.
“We, therefore, urge the sector, as well youth training providers and organisations, to show their support for this important inquiry by sharing their experiences and suggestions for how to make engineering-related apprenticeships more available and accessible to young people. We hope the inquiry will open up conversations about how to break down barriers, inform effective policymaking and widen opportunities for young people in engineering and technology careers.”
