Engineering news
Six fast-growth industries that could significantly boost the UK economy and have a major impact on the future demands of the country's engineering skills base have been identified by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
In its report, titled
Ones to Watch, the IET singles out space, robotics, 3D printing, new energy networks, food security and cyber security as six of the UK’s most promising and innovative engineering and technology industries.
The industries are developing technologies that will help provide solutions to some of the most pressing global concerns such as climate change, energy security, food production and using scant resources more sustainably.
However, the report says these promising sectors are being held back by the need for a high number of skilled engineers and technicians. If not addressed it will mean the industries competing to attract from a limited pool of skilled employees, the report warns.
Stephen Kyle-Henney, managing director at TISICS, a titanium composite manufacturers involved in the report, said: "We need engineers and manufacturing staff with hands on skills as well as academic qualifications. You cannot build high quality hardware without excellently trained people."
Other barriers identified by the report include the lack of diversity and investment and a need for faster adaption of new technologies.
Nigel Fine, IET chief executive, said: “Government and employers in these industries will need to engage with each other – and with all stages of the education system to produce a talent pipeline with appropriate skills and talent.
“We need to act now. The last thing we want to happen is that these innovative new industries fail to achieve their potential because they don’t have the skills, talent, technology and investment they need to grow.”
Senior representatives from companies including Airbus Defence and Space, BAE Systems, and Mott MacDonald took part in the report.
The report is available at:
www.theiet.org/ones-to-watch