Semta welcomes positive vision for UK manufacturing
- Increased globalisation of the
manufacturing supply chain is creating new
opportunities
- A highly skilled workforce is the
key to continued growth
- Companies in England can now
access £65 million to help upskill workforce via
Semta
Semta, the Sector Skills Council for science, engineering and
manufacturing technologies, has welcomed the Manufacturing Strategy
Review 2008: Manufacturing Strategy: new Challenges, new
opportunities a paper released jointly today by the Department for
Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform’s (DBERR) and the
Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS),
outlining the opportunities available to UK manufacturing companies
in the global market place.
Semta’s employers have played a key role in developing the
strategy document, which argues that the importance of having a
workforce with a diverse set of skills is crucial if organisations
are to remain globally competitive. Semta’s employers are also
leading the work of the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing
to ensure high quality programmes are available to meet industry
needs.
The fast growth of new technology has helped boost the
manufacturing process but is closely linked with an equal need for
increased skills amongst those using the technology. Combined with
the globalisation of supply chain networks, there is greater demand
for niche and specialist skills, which are no longer
country-specific. This means that a modern global workforce has to
be adaptable and able to respond to change quickly to capitalise on
new opportunities. UK manufacturing is a leader in research
innovation and technology, but requires further investment in
skills to ensure it can make a successful in-road into emerging
markets like India and China.
Semta recently secured the first Train to Gain sector Compact
worth £65 million for employers in the Science, Engineering and
Manufacturing Technology sectors in England. The funding available
will assist employers in investing in the critical staff skills
needed.
Philip Whiteman, Chief Executive, Semta said:
“Manufacturing Strategy: new Challenges, new opportunities
highlights the increasing need for specialist skills if we are to
compete globally, which reinforces the view that investing in
skills and training plays a crucial role in delivering bottom line
benefits to employers. The skills required by UK manufacturing are
changing and broadening. The manufacturing workforce of the future
needs a solid understanding of STEM subjects, (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics) combined with technical skills and
expertise in lean, innovation, workforce planning and leadership
and management. It is therefore important that we focus on ensuring
we have a highly skilled and experienced workforce who pass on
their skills to the next generation and one way this can happen is
through apprenticeship programmes.
“We understand that there needs to be an easy way for employers
to access support and funding, tailored to their particular needs
and skills gaps. For this reason, the £65 million Train to Gain
funding Semta has secured for our sectors will assist UK
manufacturing companies to sustain their global competitive
edge.”
Employers interested in finding out more about the new sector
funding offer should call Semta Customer Services on 0845 643 9001
or email: customerservices@semta.org.uk
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For media enquires please contact:
James Cameron at Consolidated PR on 020 7781 2316 or email:
jamesc@consol.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Semta (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and
Manufacturing Technologies) www.semta.org.uk
Semta is the employer-led skills council for Science,
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK. The sectors
it represents are: Aerospace, Automotive, Bioscience, Electrical,
Electronics, Maintenance, Marine, Mathematics, Mechanical, Metals
and Engineered Metal Products and Science. Its role is to the raise
skills levels and competitiveness in the 76,000 companies and 1.9
million-strong workforce that make up these sectors.
The Manufacturing Strategy Review 2008: Manufacturing Strategy:
new Challenges, new opportunities is published on Monday 8th
September and is available for download from: www.berr.gov.uk or
www.dius.gov.uk