IET report reveals importance of tackling engineering skills gap
A survey by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) shows that 61% of the engineering and technical workforce see the problems in recruitment of engineering and technical staff with the right skills as a barrier to achieving business objectives.
This is the 12th year that the IET has published its skills report, which is based on quantitative research commissioned by the Institution and conducted by market research specialist BMG Research. The results of the report are based on 880 interviews with employers of engineering and technology staff across a range of engineering sectors and company sizes.
Around 75% of the respondents also said that tackling the skills problem in engineering is fundamental to making the government’s Industrial Strategy viable. Companies who are looking to make more use of digital technologies are particularly focused on developing the necessary skills.
Employers interviewed for the IET also recognised the role that they play in helping new people into the sector. Around a third of employers recognised that it is their responsibility to invest in the necessary training to meet the skills challenge. And 80% agreed that more employers need to provide work experience for those in education or training to help improve the supply of engineers and technicians. Of those surveyed, 31% already count at least one engineering or technical apprentice in their workforce and 59% have arranged or funded technical or job-specific training for engineering or technical staff over the last 12 months.
