An inquiry has been launched in the UK to discover why there has been a worrying decline in people starting engineering, manufacturing and technology apprenticeships in the UK over the past few years.
The inquiry is being led by former Labour and Conservative ministers Lord Knight and Lord Willetts, with support from charity EngineeringUK.
Given the skills shortage and a growing demand for engineers and technicians, the inquiry will look to identify vital solutions which could help boost the number and diversity of young people taking up apprenticeships.
Employers, training providers, young people and those who work with them are all being urged to get involved in the ‘call for evidence’ by submitting their views, evidence or ideas to improve this much-needed career pathway into the sector.
Despite a modest uptick in numbers last year, engineering-related apprenticeship starts in England are still 9% lower than in 2014/15.
And the uptake varies by subject, with a worrying 34% decline for engineering and manufacturing technologies.
Lord Willetts, the ex-Conservative Minister for Universities and Science – whose father ran an apprenticeship programme for an engineering firm – said: “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.”
Lord Knight, former Labour Education and Employment Minister, added that “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.”
The call for evidence, which is open until 27 February 2023, is seeking views and ideas from the sector on 4 key areas:
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?
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 needs to change to help increase the number and diversity of young people taking up and completing engineering and technology apprenticeships?
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 policy making and widen opportunities for young people in engineering and technology careers.”
The inquiry – ‘Fit for the future: growing and sustaining engineering and technology apprenticeships for young people’ has opened its call for evidence until the 27 February 2023. For more information and to respond, visit: www.engineeringuk.com/fitforthefuture
