Welcoming the publication of the UK Government's Green Paper, Dr John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, says:
“As engineers, we welcome the ‘Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy’ Green Paper, which identifies growth areas including: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy and Digital Technologies.
Engineering is at the heart of each of these sectors, driving innovation and economic growth. It is good to see the government committing to a long-term Industrial Strategy to grow the economy and setting out an ambitious vision that draws on the country’s strengths in engineering, innovation, research, and manufacturing.
The strategy rightly emphasises the importance of a regional focus to harness the potential of specialised industry concentrations in specific parts of the country, for local and national prosperity. The Academy’s expanding regional Enterprise Hubs aim to support this approach.
However, the strategy must be underpinned by sustained policies that align actions across regulation, procurement, funding, infrastructure, technology adoption, and a National Engineering and Technology Workforce Strategy to ensure we meet industry’s skills needs.
The UK already faces an engineering skills gap and demand is expected to rise over the next decade. The National Engineering Policy Centre’s policy priorities (1) have laid out how to bridge this gap by reversing the shortage of STEM teachers, increasing apprenticeships and promoting engineering as an attractive career choice."
Notes for editors
- The National Engineering Policy Centre brings engineering thinking to the heart of policymaking, creating positive impacts for society. We are a partnership of 42 professional engineering organisations that cover the breadth and depth of our profession, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Together we provide insights, advice, and practical policy recommendations on complex national and global challenges.