MOST CRITICAL skills shortages in UK industry are due to a lack of technicians and apprentices, rather than graduates. According to the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), jobs classified as "skilled trades" or "plant, process and machine operatives" and roles such as engineering technicians, account for 61 % of all skills vacancies in the engineering sector. In its annual report on the state of engineering in the UK, the ETB reveals that the current intake of non-graduates is insufficient to meet replacement demand in technician and processing roles. At the same time, however, a quarter of those signed up for the apprenticeship scheme report that they are unable to find apprenticeships or employers.
展开▼
