Reaction to Spending Review
EngineeringUK Chief Executive Dr Hilary Leevers responds to the latest Spending Review from HM Government.
Dr Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, commented:
"The Chancellor’s welcome commitment to invest £113 billion in capital projects across energy, infrastructure, transport, and housing will create tens of thousands more jobs in engineering and technology across the UK, over the current parliament and beyond.
“With this investment will come an increasing demand for skilled engineers and technologists, now and into the future. It is therefore vital that the government also invests in the education and skills system to support these sectors. The Treasury’s commitment to increase funding for apprenticeships and training to reach an extra £1.2 billion per annum by 2029 includes support for high-quality training for over 1.3 million 16- to 19-year-olds. These efforts are very promising, but must be focused into areas of workforce need.
“To future proof growth, the government needs to break down barriers for young people from all backgrounds to access engineering and technology careers. The Chancellor clearly recognises the impact of socioeconomic status on opportunity but the need to improve the progression of women into engineering and technology continues to be overlooked, with women making up just 16.9% of that workforce. The forthcoming Industrial Strategy sector workforce plans must not only recognise the importance of early-stage interventions in schools but also drive more investment in STEM education and skills, supporting teachers to bring engineering and technology alive for all their students.
“Whilst the real-terms increase in the Department for Education’s (DfE) expenditure up to 2029 is welcome, recent cuts to the Strategic Priorities Grant, Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme, and Continuous Professional Development funding for science teachers will inevitably damage the STEM skills pipeline. It is imperative that DfE and Skills England focus on expanding entry routes into the priority sectors for young people and work with employers to address critical skills gaps."
Whilst the real-terms increase in the Department for Education’s (DfE) expenditure up to 2029 is welcome, recent cuts to the Strategic Priorities Grant, Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme, and Continuous Professional Development funding for science teachers will inevitably damage the STEM skills pipeline. It is imperative that DfE and Skills England focus on expanding entry routes into the priority sectors for young people and work with employers to address critical skills gaps.
— Dr Hilary Leevers, EngineeringUK Chief Executive
