Written by Paul Oxley, ADS Director of Government Relations and Policy
This week marks an important event in the UK’s engineering calendar — Tomorrow’s Engineers Week. As an annual celebration, this initiative shines a spotlight on the creativity, problem-solving skills, and societal contributions of engineering. It’s a time to inspire young minds about a career that’s not just about fixing things but innovating and improving the world around us.
First, it’s essential to applaud the efforts of EngineeringUK, whose dedication has been instrumental in orchestrating Tomorrow’s Engineers Week. Their work through the Tomorrow’s Engineers Code since October 2020 has set a precedent for commitment and collaboration towards increasing diversity and participation in engineering careers. The Code’s signatories pledge to transform their approach to inspire and educate young engineers, focusing on inclusivity and effectiveness.
At ADS, we share a passionate commitment to addressing the skills and workforce shortages in our sectors. The recent announcement by the Prime Minister about the formation of Skills England at Farnborough International Airshow was a pivotal moment for us. We believe that Skills England will play a crucial role in reshaping how skills development is approached across the country.
Driving Changes
Our engagement with the Government to bolster skills provisions across the UK is focused on several key areas:
Reform of the Apprenticeship and Growth Levy
The current Apprenticeship Levy has created a challenging landscape for many businesses, particularly SMEs, to navigate. Simplifying this system will enable better usage of funds, encouraging more businesses to invest in new talent. Moreover, expanding the geographical scope for deploying these funds will allow companies to support recruits from wider areas, covering essential expenses like travel and accommodation.
Strategic Operation of Skills England
The success of Skills England hinges on its integration with other key governmental departments, including the Department of Business and Trade and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. This synergy is vital for tailoring training and recruitment initiatives that meet the precise needs of growth-driving sectors.
Enhancement of Careers Advice Services
There’s a pressing need to overhaul the current careers advice framework to better align with industry requirements. A unified national careers advice app would provide real-time, interactive data about job vacancies, helping potential job-seekers to connect with opportunities that match their skills and interests.
Early STEM Engagement
Cultivating an interest in STEM from an early age is crucial. More practical and engaging content should be incorporated into the curriculum through methods like gamification. Programs like ADS’ UK Youth Rocketry Challenge have shown how effective this approach can be. Moreover, increasing industry involvement in schools will help students connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, making STEM careers more tangible and exciting.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, let’s also focus on the actionable steps we can take to ensure a robust pipeline of skilled engineers into our sectors. By reforming educational policies, enhancing career services, and making strategic alignments at governmental and industry levels, we can pave the way for a brighter, more innovative future.
This week is more than a celebration; it’s a call to action to inspire, educate, and engage the next generation of engineers who will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. Let’s commit to these changes and ensure that the engineering landscape in the UK is as dynamic and diverse as the minds that will shape it.
