Priorities for the new government:  workforce planning , STEM education and skills

With engineering jobs expected to grow faster than other occupations across the UK between now and 2030, (Engineering Skills Needs – now and into the future, 2023) and a lack of both people and skills to meet the needs to deliver infrastructure improvements, decarbonisation and growth, the new government needs to urgently address skills shortages in engineering and technology.   

We want the next government to take a more strategic approach to address skills shortages and the UK’s changing labour market needs, and for this to be led by the Cabinet Office. We believe consolidating the work of existing skills taskforces under a new cross-departmental skills committee will encourage collaboration, reduce silo-thinking and support the next government’s ambitions to grow the economy. 

We also want the new government to develop a holistic STEM education and skills plan, which, if acted on, will help deliver the engineering and technology workforce that the UK so urgently needs, which will address issues and concerns in the education sector. 

Head of Public Affairs and Policy, Beatrice Barleon, comments, “We are asking the next government to take urgent action on workforce planning and address the critical challenges we are facing over STEM skills and teacher shortages in schools and FE providers.” 

“Specifically, we want the new government in its first 100 days in office to commit to a national workforce strategy. 

“On apprenticeships and T levels, we want to see better access for young people and a commitment that T Levels will continue in England. We also need a long-term careers strategy to ensure schools and colleges have the funding and up-to-date knowledge of 21st engineering careers required to support and inspire young people.”