Semta calls on manufacturers to save 'lost generation'

The skills council says that with new money from the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, the Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot funding pot is now worth £340million – an investment it wants to work alongside businesses and training providers in bidding for. Chief executive Sarah Sillars said Semta's role would be "a huge factor in the success of engineering and manufacturing in 2013". Semta forecasts that more than 82,000 scientists, engineers and technologists will be needed across the UK by 2016 to take advantage of growth opportunities and reduce the impact of skills lost through retirement. And there was a further need to upskill 363,000 of the current technical workforce whose qualifications are currently below world class standards. "In the coming year we will help tackle the 'lost generation', by showing young people and their parents and advisors the fantastic career opportunities available in manufacturing and engineering," added Sillars.