Fit for the future: growing and sustaining engineering and technology apprenticeships for young people

Former Labour and Conservative ministers Lord Knight and Lord Willetts, with support from charity EngineeringUK, have an inquiry to uncover the reasons behind the worrying decline in engineering, manufacturing and technology apprenticeships starts seen over recent years in the UK.

Given the skills shortage and a growing demand for engineers and technicians, the inquiry will look to identify vital solutions which could help to increase the number and diversity of young people taking up apprenticeships in the sector.

Employers, training providers, young people and those who work with them, are all being urged to get involved in the ‘call for evidence’ by submitting their views, evidence or ideas to improve this much-needed career pathway into the sector.  

The call for evidence is seeking views and ideas from the sector on 4 key areas:

Opportunities

• What part do apprenticeships play in helping to meet the UK’s skills needs in engineering and technology?

State of play

• What are the reasons behind the overall decline in engineering apprenticeship starts in recent years? We are particularly interested in understanding more about supply and demand.

Barriers

• What are the barriers for businesses taking on young people as apprentices and what are the barriers for young people in accessing them?

Solutions

• What do you think needs to change to help increase the number and diversity of young people taking up and completing engineering and technology apprenticeships?

The IET Board of Trustees has decided to respond to the following consultation and will accept responses from IET members including Member, Fellow, Honorary Fellow, Student, and Associate. Please provide your membership number with your consultation response.

The IET is seeking to respond to the consultation and would welcome your views and comments on the questions posed.

Please respond no later than 9am on 10 February 2023 to Will Atkinson with "Fit for the future: growing and sustaining engineering and technology apprenticeships for young people" in the subject line.