Addressing the Skills Gap: Unlocking the Potential of the British Economy

Addressing the Skills Gap: Unlocking the Potential of the British Economy

Bridging the skills gap

The prevailing skills gap in the UK poses a significant challenge for businesses, impacting their ability to find skilled individuals and leading to increased wage pressures as they compete for top talent. These dual challenges have the potential to hinder the true growth potential of the British economy and diminish its competitiveness on a global scale.

Several key considerations highlight the urgency of addressing this skills gap:

  1. Economic Impact: Engineering enterprises contribute a staggering £1.17 trillion in turnover, representing a quarter of all UK enterprises’ revenue. This demonstrates the substantial role of the engineering sector in driving economic growth.
  2. Global Demand: Skilled trade workers, engineers, and technicians are highly sought-after not just within the UK but also worldwide. The scarcity of these professionals poses challenges for businesses operating in various sectors.
  3. Impediments to Innovation: Nearly half (48.3%) of engineering enterprises face delays in introducing new products and services due to their struggle to fill vacancies with qualified individuals. This shortage hampers innovation and can limit the industry’s ability to stay competitive and adapt to changing market demands.
  4. Future Recruitment Challenges: A concerning 53% of businesses anticipate difficulties in recruiting staff with STEM skills in the next three years. This projection highlights the long-term nature of the skills shortage problem and the need for proactive measures to bridge the gap.
  5. The Untapped Potential: Encouraging greater participation of women in STEM fields could be a game-changer, potentially contributing an additional £2 billion to the economy. Unlocking this untapped potential would not only address the skills shortage but also promote gender equality and inclusivity in the workforce.
  6. Educational Perceptions: Unfortunately, only 57% of STEM teachers consider a career in engineering desirable for students. This indicates a need to improve the understanding and perception of engineering careers among educators, who play a crucial role in guiding students’ career choices.
  7. Empowering Educators: Supporting teachers and career advisors is essential in equipping them with the knowledge and resources to effectively guide students toward the range of modern engineering roles, career paths, and vocational opportunities available in today’s dynamic economy. Enhancing their understanding will enable them to better highlight the exciting prospects within the engineering sector.

Drawing on their extensive experience in the manufacturing and engineering process industries, E3R has witnessed firsthand the obstacles faced by businesses in Yorkshire and across the UK due to a diminishing pool of qualified and experienced prospective employees. Recognising the collective responsibility of businesses, E3R emphasises the need for closer collaboration with schools and communities to develop comprehensive solutions that address both skills acquisition and retention.

To tackle the scarcity of STEM candidates, E3R has forged a strategic partnership with The Entice Project, an apprenticeship provider that connects local students with local businesses. This collaboration enables E3 Recruitment to identify and nurture aspiring apprentices interested in pursuing careers in manufacturing and engineering, ensuring a pipeline of skilled talent for the future.

As part of their partnership, E3 Recruitment actively engages with local high schools, organising events to raise awareness about the exciting and rewarding careers available in engineering and manufacturing. An exemplary event was the Careers Convention held at King James High School, where E3R invited key clients such as Reliance Precision, Marshalls, VTL, BP, Extract Technology, and Buy it Direct to interact with students and discuss potential career opportunities.

The success of the Careers Convention paved the way for three Business Breakfast events at King James High School, Colne Valley High School, and Brighouse Sixth Form. These informative sessions featured presentations by The Entice Project, and local Members of Parliament, and facilitated one-on-one sessions with local businesses, fostering meaningful connections between students and potential employers.

The Entice Project, in collaboration with E3 Recruitment, is a specialised apprentice recruitment company actively engaging with schools across Kirklees and Calderdale. Their shared objective is to raise awareness about apprenticeships through various initiatives, fostering collaboration between the business and education communities. Working closely with a diverse range of employers, they provide vital support in apprentice recruitment efforts.

An exemplary partnership is their collaboration with Syngenta, where they organise comprehensive taster sessions that allow quality candidates to experience the workplace environment firsthand. This immersive exposure benefits both the students and the employers, creating a solid foundation for successful apprenticeship programs. Syngenta’s recognition as the Employer of the Year at the Kirklees Apprenticeship Hub Awards 2016 underscores the effectiveness of this partnership, with The Entice Project playing an instrumental role in their acclaimed scheme’s success.

27th May 2016

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