What is the story about?
What's Happening?
The Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, visited Group Rhodes, a prominent original equipment manufacturer, to discuss the importance of engineering apprenticeships in addressing the UK's skills shortage. Accompanied by local MP Simon Lightwood, Phillipson toured the company's Calder Vale headquarters, where CEO Mark Ridgway OBE DL highlighted the critical need for skilled engineers. Ridgway emphasized that the shortage of engineers poses a significant threat to the UK's manufacturing sector and advocated for investment in higher-level apprenticeships. These apprenticeships are crucial for attracting new talent and enabling mid-career professionals to retrain. During the visit, Phillipson and Lightwood interacted with employees who had completed apprenticeships, learning about their experiences and the impact of structured training on their careers.
Why It's Important?
The visit underscores the urgent need to address the engineering skills gap in the UK, which is vital for the sustainability and growth of the manufacturing sector. By focusing on apprenticeships, the government aims to create a more flexible and business-aligned training pathway, which is essential for developing a skilled workforce. This initiative is particularly significant as older employees retire, and the industry struggles to attract young engineers. The discussions also touched on the Government's Growth and Skills Levy, which replaces the Apprenticeship Levy, indicating a shift towards more adaptable training programs. The collaboration between Group Rhodes and government officials highlights the importance of aligning educational programs with industry needs to ensure economic growth and innovation.
What's Next?
Group Rhodes is anticipating the release of the Wakefield Futures Report on Skills, scheduled for September 10, which will outline strategies for developing local talent pipelines. The report, chaired by Sir Chris Husbands, aims to provide insights into creating high-level employment opportunities in Wakefield and beyond. The company is also advocating for Skills England to work closely with SMEs to ensure training programs meet industry demands. These steps are expected to enhance workforce development and address the engineering skills shortage, contributing to the long-term growth of the manufacturing sector.
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