An Engineering and Technology Workforce Strategy

Ahead of the UK general election, Lydia Amarquaye, the IMechE’s Education and Skills Policy Lead, examines what the engineering community are calling for to address the skills shortage.

In his presidential address this month, Dr Clive Hickman highlighted a regional issue with skills, and the limitations of what can be achieved without support and intervention. The IMechE President called on the incoming parliament to do more:

‘In parts of the West Midlands, we have a 4^th generation who have never had a job – and the region is not unique. We have the talent pool to address our skills shortage and so I call on our government to recognise the dilemma. Industry and academia can play our part, but we need government support.’

It is no secret that we have a shortage of engineers – the profession is near the top of the list for eligibility to skilled worker visas. What is missing is a clear plan of how to address these shortages. As such, we would like to highlight the policy ask indicated by both the National Engineering Policy Centre and Engineering UK of a clear National Engineering and Technology Workforce Strategy. We would like to see a clear plan of investment and growth in regions and technologies that support the aims and ambitions of the country. Where there are shortages, there should be clear plans of how to upskill and reskill people to take up these roles.

We have an active STEM ambassador program which encourages engineering outreach in schools, but this cannot be done in isolation. There must be better drive towards the understanding of engineering in the classroom. We encourage the government to conduct an overdue review of the education system, and with that, incorporate a better understanding of the latest engineering and technological trends. The practical examples used in the classroom should relate to real life problems and give young people more choice of a career that would help contribute and improve the world around them.

Engineering is the backbone of the UK economy, driving innovation, productivity, and competitiveness across various sectors. A skilled engineering workforce ensures the country remains at the forefront of technological advancement, attracting investment and fostering growth. Investing in education and skills development equips individuals with the expertise needed to tackle complex challenges, ensuring a sustainable future for the economy and society as a whole.