Institution responds to UK Government's Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy report

Philippa Oldham welcomes plans to create 30,000 apprenticeships in the road and rail sector.

Philippa Oldham, Head of Transport at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said in response to the Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy report released today:

“Having a vibrant, talented and skilled transport workforce is at the heart of a healthy economy. Government plans announced today to create 30,000 apprenticeships in the road and rail sector by 2020 are therefore very welcome. Apprenticeships are a key way that we can plug some of the UK engineering skills gap.

“It is very positive that action is being taken to encourage more women into the sector but to achieve this we must make sure that our education system makes it the norm for girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and maths subjects at school. We need to show that engineering careers in the transport sector improve people’s lives, and champion the major investments and technical innovations that are currently being developed. Electric vehicles, Crossrail and High Speed Rail look set to revolutionise the way we travel, and there are huge advances being made to make travel safer and more accessible for disabled and elderly people. There has never been a more exciting time to become an engineer, technician or apprentice working on UK transport infrastructure.”