North East sees big rise in engineering and manufacturing apprentices
23/08/2012 Enginuity
Apprenticeships in engineering and manufacturing have increased in the North East over the past three years it is revealed today.Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing has seen 2,160 new starts already this year compared to 1,880 in 2010 and 1,270 in 2009 - a 70% increase over three years.
So far this year 491 engineering and manufacturing companies have taken on apprentices - meaning the number of firms recruiting apprentices has increased from 16% to 23% over the past two years.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan's Vice President for Manufacturing in the UK, who chairs the North East Skills Alliance, co-ordinated by Semta, said the figures were encouraging but there was no room for complacency.
"We are delighted to see such a significant increase in the number of apprentices being recruited," he said. "Our aim is to have 50% of North East engineering and manufacturing companies taking on apprentices by the end of 2016.
"A lot of work is going into making it as easy as possible for companies to offer apprenticeships and graduate programmes, and to upskill their current workforce.
"We need to see more firms, particularly smaller and medium-sized businesses, taking on apprentices if we are to meet the skills challenge this region faces. The figures are moving in the right direction but we must keep up the momentum."
Positive job announcements at firms such as Nissan, Hitachi, Siemens and Nifco will help create further opportunities, particularly in the supply chain.
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has also welcomed the increase stressing the importance of the quality of the apprenticeships in the sector.
Sue Price, NAS Divisional Apprenticeship Director - North said: "The engineering sector in the North East has a proud history of apprenticeships and we are delighted to see that numbers are increasing.
"With an increasing demand for higher level skills, their importance has never been greater. For a strong and growing economy we must have a high level of skills to meet employer demand and apprenticeships are vital way of achieving this.
"The NAS is not only committed to increasing the number and range of Apprenticeships on offer, but also to ensuring the quality of Apprenticeships, which is so key to this growth."
Semta's research shows around 8,500 skilled workers are due to retire in the next six years and a further 15,000 current employees need to improve their skills to ensure the North East can continue to perform as a world-class region.
Work is continuing to improve the picture with the Grow North East campaign, which aims to significantly increase the region's skills base by recruiting more apprentices, graduates and upskilling the current workforce.
Each of the 12 local authorities are running their own Grow initiatives in partnership with businesses and Semta, the North East Skills Alliance for Advanced Manufacturing, the National Apprenticeship Service and NEPIC (North East of England Process Industry Cluster).
For more information on apprenticeships and the Grow North East campaign please contact Semta Customer Services on 0845 643 9001. www.semta.org.uk
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