Last week’s poll: preventing Brexit from widening the skills gap
5th September 2017 11:30 am
Last week’s poll on how Brexit could widen the skills gap was taken by 309 respondents and the results could not have been closer.
The poll was prompted by industry concerns about hiring British recruits with the necessary skills for their operation. Consequently, a number of employers look to recruit from other EU nations, a situation that many would like to preserve. Following a survey of 243 UK companies, EEF argue that post-Brexit restrictions to migration will see skills shortages become worse.
From our poll, a total of 29 per cent agreed that a points-based system should be introduced to ensure the flow of skilled workers.
Just under a fifth (19 per cent) thought it wise to implement a STEM route for immigration, 16 per cent thought EU nationals should have a five-year window to work in Britain, and eight per cent agreed that inter-company transfers could help plug the skills gap.
The remaining 28 per cent elected to choose the ‘None of the above’ option, and the comments that followed point to the continuing disquiet that surrounds Britain’s ability to produce its own skilled STEM-qualified workforce.
“The only good long-term solution is
training British people,” said Mohammed Amin Abdullah. “Plugging the skills gap with ever more immigration is not a viable option.”
Part of 20 Cent’s comment said: “Longer term it is essential to train and retain future workers in the skills the country needs for future stability, and governments of all shades should stop trying to outdo each other by getting as many graduates through any courses they can simply to boost the numbers.”
Andy Smith added: “Better school subjects. Better training in UK industries. Better Apprenticeship schemes. Most UK engineering companies have been reluctant to improve their training provisions. We need a much higher investment in training from these companies.”
As The Engineer has been reporting for many years, the situation surrounding skilled STEM-recruits does not appear to be abating, which will likely necessitate the acquisition of skilled workers from outside Britain’s borders, starting with our neighbours in mainland Europe.
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Industry calls for clarity as Brexit skills crunch looms
29th August 2017 11:58 am
A survey by industry body EEF warns of a recruitment crunch if UK businesses are denied access to skills from across the European Union.
A third of manufacturers say necessary skills can’t be found in the UK
The survey of 243 UK companies reveals that a quarter of manufacturers have seen applications from EU nationals decrease since the referendum, and highlights deep concerns that Brexit could undermine industry’s ability to compete on the global stage.
According to the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, two-thirds of respondents recruit from across the EU due to an insufficient number of UK applicants, while a third say that the necessary skills are not available in the UK labour market.
Three-quarters of manufacturers are already struggling to fill roles, reports EEF, which argues that post-Brexit restrictions to migration will see skills shortages become worse.
Manufacturers interviewed as part of the report said they need unfettered access to “appropriate workers” with the skills industry needs, adding that European employees should be able to come to the UK to work...
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Scotland’s Queensferry Crossing welcomes first traffic
30th August 2017 11:36 am
The £1.35bn Queensferry Crossing spanning Scotland’s Firth of Forth has opened to traffic for the first time.
Spanning 2.7km, the new structure is the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world. Prior to being connected to the shore on both sides, its balanced cantilevers extended 322m north and south of the central tower, which is also an official Guinness world record.
Since 2011, the bridge has seen over 15,000 people inducted to work on the site, and a total of 18 million man hours have been dedicated to the project. The principal contractor, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC), comprised a consortium of Hochtief (Germany), American Bridge (US), Dragados (Spain) and Morrison (Scotland). Official sources claim the development came in £245m under budget.
“I’ve
worked on projects across the globe and I can safely say that this has been one of the most challenging but also the most rewarding,” said project director David Climie, from Transport Scotland.
“Until you’ve actually been out on the bridge during severe winds it’s hard to appreciate the task at hand of delivering such a complex project. Experts from across the globe have marvelled at this achievement and so it’s nice to think there will be some recognition at home for the workforce this week too.”
The Queensferry Crossing was first conceived in the mid 2000s after inspection of the Forth Road Bridge revealed extensive corrosion of its suspension cables. While measures have been put in place to mitigate that corrosion, it was decided a new road bridge was required. The older structure will now carry pedestrians, cyclists and buses. All other vehicle traffic will use the new bridge, which links into major motorway upgrades north and south of the crossing. The two road bridges sit alongside the iconic Forth Bridge, which opened in 1890 and still carries rail traffic.
Initially, a 40mph speed restriction will be in place on the new bridge’s two-lane dual carriageway. Once upgrade work is completed on the Forth Road Bridge over the next 4-6 weeks, public transport will be redirected there, and the speed limit on the Queensferry Crossing will be raised to 70mph.
This weekend will see 50,000 ballot-winners walking the new bridge in a celebratory ceremony, and the crossing will be officially opened by the Queen on Monday 4 September.
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Last week’s poll: Brexit — benefits of interim customs union
22nd August 2017 10:56 am
Engineer readers doubt whether an interim customs union will help industry during the Brexit transition period
Negative opinions overwhelmed positive in last week’s poll on the suggestion that an interim customs union arrangement mimicking the current situation during a transition period towards Brexit would be of benefit to industry. Of the 389 respondents, only 21 per cent chose an option approving of the idea, that it was a practical suggestion that would avoid a cliff-edge. The largest group of respondents, 42 per cent, thought the EU would not agree to such proposal. Another 20 per cent saw the proposal as a crude effort to paper over cracks in the Cabinet, while 11 per cent thought it would just delay economic pain. Just 6 per cent of respondents declined to pick an option.
The comments section saw
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