skills

Engineering services business survey: firms hunt for the right people to aid bounce back

The latest quarterly Building Engineering Business Survey, conducted by leading electrotechnical trade body ECA in partnership with BESA, SELECT and SNIPEF, reveals an expected bounce back for the sector in Q2. Materials shortages and cash flow continue to affect the sector. But recruiting and retaining the right calibre of staff is now the biggest curb on business growth. A rise in apprenticeship recruitment shows a recognition that investing in people…

JTL launches new campaign to remind school-leavers that A Trade is Always with You

JTL, the leading work-based learning provider in England and Wales, is reminding school-leavers of the many benefits of taking on an apprenticeship with its new campaign, A Trade is Always with You. The campaign reminds students due to receive their A Levels and GCSE exams results this month of an alternative option to continuing the traditional route of academia by applying for an apprenticeship, which would take them into a trade…

IET comments on reports of UK tech talent shortage

Dr Graham Herries, co-chair of Innovation and Skills at the IET, said: “It is a huge concern to see a talent shortage within our technology sector and employers need to recognise that they play a significant role in addressing the skills gaps that they face – by recruiting more apprentices and re-training existing staff, as well as utilising the apprenticeship levy to address demand. The importance of engaging with local…

Once an electrician not always an electrician

Jake Green, technical engagement manager with Click Scolmore, one of the UK’s leading names in wiring accessories, talks about the different paths his career has taken since he first completed his apprenticeship back in 2012. Like many in the industry, a career as an electrician was my main focus during the three years that I undertook my apprenticeship at Bedford College under the NICEIC training programme. I started my apprenticeship…

Why the construction industry needs to investigate alternative paths to entry to address the ongoing pain of skills shortages

By Emma Dickson, Technical Director at Arcadis and industry co-chair of the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s Skills and Workforce sub group Employers in the construction industry in Scotland hardly need to be reminded of the skills shortages which are hampering the industry as it continues to focus on recovery – shortages which are coming close to threatening the sector’s long-term health. The fact that demand for skills is outstripping supply is…

Coventry University to lead collaboration to support UK’s electric revolution and drive for electric transport and net-zero targets

Coventry University will look to play a pivotal role in driving UK electrification by developing a national skills hub aimed at supporting specialist training, after winning £1million in funding. The national skills hub, aimed at supporting the Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) community, is set to be led and developed by Coventry University. It will be a digital platform bringing together providers of an extensive range of training and…

Skills boost for local communities

The Open University to work with colleges to offer more high-quality higher and technical education. More people will benefit from high-quality higher education in their hometown as The Open University partners with further education providers to create more training to fill skills gaps and raise job prospects across the country. Under the scheme, announced by Higher and Further Education Minister Michelle Donelan on 25 May, The Open University will work with…