For Britain to compete globally in the middle of this century it needs high level engineering skills within a diverse workforce, ready to lead through unprecedented disruption and global competition. The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) Talent 2050 programme will explore these issues in depth, creating an impactful roadmap for change. As a first step, NCUB commissioned a review of existing studies and workshops to set a baseline for current and future engineering skills.
Publishing the Phase 1 Report today (7th November) at the Hitachi/Daily Telegraph Social Innovation Conference, report author, Paul Jackson said: ‘The ‘school to apprenticeship or university’ route for young people, even if changed to more effectively develop the skills needed, will not address the necessary change quickly enough. To drive a more diverse workforce and avoid skills shortages, engineering needs to reach beyond existing STEM employees. It must consider a more inclusive approach where recruitment is based on the potential to gain the right skills, avoiding the rejection of talented people who haven’t already obtained them.’
Dr Joe Marshall, NCUB CEO said: ‘This report highlights that mobility between sectors, re-skilling and recruitment will be ever more important as we hurtle towards the middle of this century. There is more universities, business and government can do, together, to equip the UK with the necessary skills and education, while ensuring the UK continues to be a welcoming work or study destination. All within an industrial strategy that embraces truly interdisciplinary working.’
Thanks to support from Barclays, LSBU, Nats and Pearson the results of the first phase will inform further exploration with more in-depth workshops and strategic roundtables looking at how future possibilities will shape our skills needs, both for the engineering sector, and for engineering-type skills across sectors and society. Phase two workshops are scheduled in London (21st November), Birmingham and Southampton (27th November) and Cardiff (29th November). To register interest, or to be kept informed as new dates are confirmed, please get in touch.
The final report and recommendations of Talent 2050 will be published early in 2019.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB)
Inspiring universities and business to work together for sustainable growth and prosperity
As a membership organisation, the National Centre brings together leaders from across higher education and business to tackle issues of shared interest.
About Talent 2050: Engineering skills and education for the future
The Phase 1 report reviews existing studies and workshops around the UK on current and future engineering skills development. Authored by Paul Jackson (Jasia Education Ltd) and Robin Mellors-Bourne (Careers Research Advisory Centre).
The baseline Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) for STEM (including digital) skills focussed on current supply and potential future demands using 40 sources. Workshops in Edinburgh, Sunderland and London included senior individuals from public and private sectors, trades unions, education and professional bodies, early career stage professionals and researchers. Talent 2050: Engineering skills and education for the future Phase 1 Report By Paul Jackson (Jasia Education Ltd) and Robin Mellors-Bourne (Careers Research Advisory Centre) is published on November 7th and available from the National Centre for Universities and Business.
For further information please contact:
Shivaun Meehan Shivaun.meehan@ncub.co.uk
Paul Jackson paul.jackson@jasia.co.uk
National Centre for Universities and Business
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