Engineering Sector Urges Net-Zero Skills Plan Amidst Funding Setbacks
The Royal Academy of Engineering has urged for increased investment in a net-zero skills plan for the engineering sector. The industry, second only to IT/computing in job vacancies, faces challenges like project delays and a widening skills gap.
The government has been called upon to support the sector by providing clear action plans for large infrastructure projects and considering future requirements. However, it did not allocate the extra £40 million requested by EngineeringUK for STEM education in schools and further education.
Despite this, an additional £3.8 billion in funding was announced to improve apprenticeships and T Levels in the engineering sector. Yet, transport and city infrastructure projects, such as HS2 and the Integrated Rail Plan, are stalling, affecting the engineering sector's progress.
The engineering sector, crucial to the UK's R&D output, has faced setbacks in the past 18 months. A 2021 report emphasized the sector's role in boosting social mobility and called for increased provision of maths and science at GCSE level. The government's decision to postpone an annual £2 billion spend on research and development (R&D) was criticized by the sector, highlighting the need for immediate funding to maintain the UK's second-highest ranking in global R&D output.
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