SKILLS CHIEF EMBRACES RICHARD RESPONSE
18/03/2013 Enginuity
Skills Chief Sarah Sillars, OBE, has pledged to help Government and industry find a new way of working to ensure that the skills gap is plugged in the wake of the Richard Review response.The CEO of Semta - which helps provide skills to the science, engineering, manufacturing and technology sectors - has pledged to double the number of youngsters taking up apprenticeships in the next three years.
"Employer ownership is a key factor in developing apprenticeships to help secure Britain's role in science and engineering." said Sarah.
"Semta is a big believer in asking industry what it needs from the sector and practices what it preaches."
The Government's response to The Richard Review indicates that the private sector will play an increasing role shaping the next generation of skilled workers.
"Our time has come," said Sarah.
"There is a huge amount of work to be carried out in the next few years.
"The Government understands the importance that apprenticeships will play in the future prosperity of the country and industry is crying out for a more secure and plentiful supply of skilled labour.
Semta's footprint extends to more than 128,000 companies employing more than 1.65 million people with a combined turnover of around £300 Billion.
"Semta is uniquely placed to help industry and government make the transition process as smooth and effective as possible.
"We know the sector inside out - and the sector knows and trusts us. This relationship will be key in channelling communications between government and industry and evolving a way forward."
The organisation is planning a full consultation process to help ensure that the arguments are explored and examined before statutes are drawn.
Semta oversaw a massive upturn (142%) in engineering and advanced manufacturing apprenticeship take-ups during the final quarter of 2012 - but believe that much more needs to be done.
"The Richard Review has identified that we need to overhaul the image of apprenticeships - reach out to parents, teachers and young people themselves, to show just what is on offer.
"We at Semta intend to play a major role in doing just that.
"Apprenticeships can offer earning and learning - not debt and despair."
For further information, please visit: www.semta.org.uk
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