According to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), engineering and technology must remain a long-term priority for the Government.
Paul Davies, IET Head of Policy, said: “Science, engineering and technology have fared well in the Autumn Statement. This shows that the issue is high on the Government agenda and recognises the importance these fields have to the British economy. But we must ensure that they remain there for years to come as the skills gap is a challenge that won’t go away overnight.
“The Government must not be complacent and will need to monitor that the extra funding for teaching science, technology and engineering, and the increase in apprenticeships, translates into talented, qualified and skilled engineers who can fill the critical skills shortage that we face in the industry today.”
The IET added that the announcement of £40m funding for 20,000 more Higher Apprenticeships is particularly welcome news but reforms of Apprenticeships must include mechanisms to ensure SMEs – the lifeblood of the economy – are not priced out of the market.
