Apprenticeships target engineering skills gap

Businesses in Surrey are working with employment and skills specialist Seetec to tackle the UK-wide engineering skills gap.

The Office for National Statistics engineering report details that the annual shortfall in engineering staff at level 3 (A-Level equivalent) or higher has reached 110,000 in 2018 and forecasts suggest this will be the case until 2024.

The shortage of engineering technicians is causing major recruitment challenges for businesses, with engineering-related enterprises and employment set to increase even further.

Seetec is currently working with employers in the Guildford area to provide Engineering Technician apprenticeships.

Recruits will train on the job from the first year, with day release covering the college-based elements. Engineering roles include manufacturing, technical support, CAD draftsperson and mechanical/electronic maintenance engineers.

Alan Wilson, Apprenticeship Development Manager from Seetec, explained: “These apprenticeships offer the opportunity to earn while gaining the foundation competences that are so highly sought after in engineering.

“On programme you will get the opportunity to extensively develop both your academic and practical skills in the college and workplace environments.

“Apprenticeships offer a fundamental route into engineering, with possible progression on to Level 4 and 5, university level, study. This is an exciting career opportunity for men and women from the Guildford area with leading employers on their doorstep.

“We are also looking to work with more employers in the area to help them develop their engineering talent pipeline.”

To join the apprenticeship scheme, applicants must have five GCSEs at Grades 9-4 (A*-C equivalent) including Maths Grade B or equivalent. They will work to achieve a nationally recognised Level 3 (A-Level equivalent) engineering technician qualification while gaining vital on-the-job experience.