Lincoln, 2012-Jun-25
The UK faces a significant engineering skills gap, with many thousands of engineers required, not only in core engineering sectors, but also the rapidly growing “green engineering” areas, such as wind energy. According to SEMTA, around 200,000 jobs need to be filled in science, engineering and manufacturing between now and 2016 to replace retirees and to meet demand from growing industries like advanced manufacturing. In addition, it is estimated that up to 300,000 of the current technical workforce is below world class standards of engineering and advanced manufacturing. Manufacturing businesses continue to report problems finding the right people with the right skills.
Today’s manufacturing skills forum featuring a range of topics and presenters seeks to address these issues. Terry Scuoler, chief executive of the EEF will provide the key note address. Commenting on the event, Scuoler said:
“Investment in skills is always at the top of the agenda whenever I speak to manufacturers around the country. There’s work to do to improve the skills system, but employers have a key role too. For this reason I am looking forward to attending this event, to discuss the challenges manufacturers face in getting the right people with the right skills and seeing if, together, we can take practical steps to address the issue for companies in the East Midlands and indeed across the UK.”
Siemens, a leading global technology and engineering company, is heavily involved in the UK skills and training agenda. Around 8,000 of its 13,000 employees in the UK are engaged in engineering and manufacturing. Nurturing existing talent and developing the next generation of engineers is seen as critical to future business success. In Lincoln Siemens employs 1,500 local people at its gas turbine manufacturing and service business and training is a major business focus. Siemens has a thriving apprenticeship and graduate scheme and has collaborated with the University of Lincoln to establish the first purpose-built engineering school and also with Lincoln College in the new University Technical College. Siemens is also involved with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills’ Talent Retention Scheme (TRS), a core resource focused on recruitment, redeployment and talent retention. Mike Jones, human resources director for Siemens Energy in the UK is speaking about skills challenges within the green economy. Jones commented:
"As one of the leading engineering firms in the UK, we recognise that we have a key role to play in developing tomorrow’s engineers. Siemens is making a very significant investment in skills and learning, both through internal programmes and with external partners, such as the EEF. A forum such as this is a great way to help air the issues, showcase best practise and develop industry-wide approaches and solutions."
Siemens will also present a case study with the University of Lincoln about the new engineering school. Professor Jill Stewart, head of the Engineering Hub said:
"The new School of Engineering is delighted to host the EEF summit. This is an important opportunity to engage with engineering employers and to properly understand the challenges that they face. This in turn ensures that our graduates are ‘industry-ready’ and that our research delivers useful and meaningful results."
- ENDS -
Notes to editors
For further details about the event, please visit http://www.eef.org.uk/events
About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 169 years ago and now employs 12,972 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.4 billion*. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry, infrastructure & cities and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk
* Data includes intercompany revenue. Data may not be comparable with revenue reported in annual or interim reports.
For more information, contact:
Rachel Odams
PR Manager
Siemens plc
Tel. +44 (0)1604696614
Mob: +44 (0)7808 824209
Rachel.odams@siemens.com
