Deficit in engineering skills hitting British companies

London, July 23 (IANS) British companies are struggling to fill an estimated 2.74 million job openings this decade due to a deficit in engineering skills, according to Engineering UK, a non-profit that promotes the profession.

Figures from the recently released State of Engineering Report 2014 show there will be an estimated 87,000 new jobs created annually that will require people with engineering degrees at all levels. Currently the UK produces only 46,000 such graduates each year.

Similarly, there is presently an annual demand for around 69,000 new people qualified at advanced apprenticeship level or equivalent each year. Yet only around 27,000 UK apprentices a year currently qualify at the appropriate level, it said.

GE Aviation Wales, winner of The Manufacturer of the Year 2013 and Skills awards, was described by judges as "a great example of a mature but forward thinking company that is committed to the ongoing building of an inclusive science, technology, engineering and mathematics talent pool".

Speaking about skills in industry, Mike Patton, managing director at GE Aviation, Wales said: "If we look around today at the types of companies we have on our doorstep, I believe the UK has something positive to shout about.

"We have a wealth of technical skills and knowledge, as well as a strong history of innovation. I believe talent development is key to the future of manufacturing."