Warning over failure to boost engineer numbers

FAILURE to solve the problem of a lack of engineers in Scotland could threaten the country’s economic wellbeing and the future success of businesses in the sector, MSPs will be warned today.

The cautionary note will be sounded by Nigel Fine, chief executive of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, at a reception at the Scottish Parliament. The IET has more than 167,000 members in 127 countries, about 10,000 of them in Scotland.

Mr Fine will tell delegates that 59 per cent of employers in the sector in Scotland believe a shortage of engineers could jeopardise their business. He will cite worries on the part of 67 per cent of Scottish engineering businesses that the education system will struggle to keep up with the skills required in today’s technological world.

He said: “The engineering sector has a crucial role to play in delivering growth for Scotland, in building Scotland’s capacity to compete in a global market and in shaping Scotland’s ability to cope with pressures on the world’s resources.

“Demand for engineers in Scotland remains high, with supply unable to keep pace and employers continuing to highlight skills shortages as a major concern.”

He added: “Employers must also recognise the need for workforce diversity and do more to attract recruits from a wider talent pool. This might include looking at other professions, such as medicine and accountancy, that have been more successful at attracting a diverse workforce.”

Mr Fine also flagged a need to work with parents and teachers to promote engineering to girls as well as boys.

Scottish Engineering has repeatedly flagged skills shortages. Chief executive Bryan Buchan noted recently that skills shortages in the central belt had been eased by North Sea job losses, but emphasised this was no “panacea”.