Former Dorset MP urges government to react to decline in engineering apprentices
Lord Jim Knight says Britain has “stalled” in developing a skilled workforce compared to neighbouring nations
A former South Dorset MP says action is needed to address the falling numbers in technology and engineering apprenticeships.
It is estimated that a fifth of jobs in the UK are in some form of engineering and projections suggest there will be an additional 173,000 jobs in these industries by the end of 2023.
Lord Jim Knight told us: “We need 350,000 more people with engineering and technical skills but at the moment we just don't have that, and it is really holding the country back from meeting its growth target.”
Engineering is essential for the country’s economic future and plays a crucial part in the success of a wealth of UK business sectors and the fight against climate change.
Committed to reversing the “worrying” decline in young people starting apprenticeships, Lord Knight has set out a five-point plan to grow apprenticeships numbers in both engineering and technology.
The report contains key policy recommendations for all political parties to consider. It calls on the government, along with employers and providers, to work together as a matter of urgency, to make apprenticeships accessible for young people.
He said: “Young people are not getting great advice and don't know about the opportunities in engineering. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way in, yet young people say there are obstacles stopping them.”
Long-term funding for apprenticeships at all levels and better support for young people throughout their apprenticeship journey are just two ways Lord Knight believes would “break down barriers”.
The former MP would also like to a reform of the GCSE engineering qualification: “Young people are just taught things to be tested in GCSEs and there isn't room for them to apply that knowledge and build stuff in the real world.
“Businesses are also saying we need them to be able to do general things, not highly specific occupational things.”
According to Lord Knight, over the last 30 years Britain has “stalled” in developing a skilled workforce compared to its competitors and neighbouring nations.