Engineering and manufacturing sector in need of young apprentices to to combat skills gap

Phil Black - PII Editor 03/03/2014

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UK manufacturing and engineering companies are becoming more dependent on recruitment through apprenticeships to bring young, fresh talent into the sector.

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, has found that six in ten UK manufacturers have taken on an engineering and manufacturing apprentice in the last 12 months.

Looking ahead to the next 12 months, the picture is even more encouraging, with over two-thirds of manufacturers planning to recruit engineering and manufacturing apprentices into their companies.

These findings support previous research conducted by EEF, which showed a growing need within the sector for R&D, design, technical, project management and technician skills. This is primarily due to manufacturers’ strategic outlook to develop new markets, launch new products and new services, and introduce new processes – all of which can only be done with the right workforce.

With three-quarters of manufacturers saying they generally recruit apprentices aged between 16 and 18, companies are clearly seeing apprenticeships as a way to boost the pipeline of talent into the industry.

These latest research findings mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place between 3rd-7th March 2014. Now in its seventh year, the week is all about raising the profile of the importance of apprenticeships to the UK economy.

Statistics from The Data Service further highlight the importance of apprenticeships within the manufacturing sector, with 66,410 young people beginning an Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Apprenticeship in 2012/13. This represents 13% of all apprenticeships starts.

Peter Winebloom, EEF’s Director of Apprentice & Skills, commented: “It is certainly positive news to see that apprenticeship recruitment is high across the manufacturing sector, and that the next 12 months are set to increase further. Apprenticeships have the potential to address the skills gap facing the sector as the need to change and adapt becomes vital for the industry’s growth and development.

“As well as bringing fresh talent to fill new – and critical – roles, apprenticeships provide a positive and valuable starting point in the careers of many young people, while employers are able to benefit from a keen, ready to learn individual who has the potential to grow and develop within their organisation.”

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, EEF has launched a new dedicated YouTube channel, Apprentice and Skills TV. The new channel is specifically designed to give anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship all the information and advice they might need. The channel also features interviews with current apprentices and employers to give people a flavour of the types of engineering and manufacturing apprenticeship roles available.

Visit Apprentice and Skills TV at www.youtube.com/apprenticesandskills

Case studies – Apprentices in Manufacturing and Engineering

Berendsen

Berendsen is a textile service business with over 100 years of experience in the industry. The company provides service solutions to lease, source, clean and maintain textiles including investment and management of stock. The UK headquarters are located in London with a supporting office in Basingstoke. The company currently employs 5 apprentices.

Scott Martin, Berendsen’s Engineering Director, Healthcare Division, said: “The importance of apprentices for Berendsen is that it fills a gap we are seeing throughout the UK in terms of skills, particularly in engineering. We need to provide succession planning throughout our organisation, and we are filling a gap for the long-term with our apprenticeship strategy.”

Ishida

Ishida is a world leader in the design, manufacture and installation of weighing, packaging and quality control solutions. The company has experience of working in many diverse food industries, ranging from snacks and dry food to fresh and frozen food applications. Its European headquarters is in Birmingham where 7 apprentices are currently employed, across design, manufacturing and distribution.

Simon Cutler, Learning and Development Manager at Ishida, said: “The benefit to Ishida that apprentices bring is that we have created a talented pipeline of young people who will be trained in our ways of working. They will have industry expert experience thanks to EEF training, which will culminate in a talented young person at an apprenticeship level. This will add value to our business and bring much needed skills, which is something we want to nurture. We would strongly recommend other companies to consider taking on an apprentice.”