The automotive manufacturing industry are joining forces with the government to boost skillsThe government and UK automotive manufacturers are joining forces in order to boost skills across the sector, inspire the next generation of vehicle makes and create new routes into automotive careers.
The Business Secretary Vince Cable announced that £11.3 million of government funding will be alongside a £2.8 million cash investment and £16.4 million in-kind contributions from the industry as part of the plan.
The project has been developed through the Automotive Council’s Business Environment and Skills Group and brings together major automotive businesses to help ensure future skills needs are met for UK vehicle manufacturers and supply chain companies.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“This investment puts our automotive sector in the driving seat to design the skills our manufacturing companies need. There is a risk that without adequate investment in skills, the industry will run into serious skills bottlenecks.
Through our industrial strategy we are working in partnership with the automotive sector as it goes from strength to strength. We are providing businesses with the confidence to invest and to create high skilled jobs.”
The manufacturers will work together to identify and meet the skills needs for their current and future workforces, with young people also gaining first-hand experience of the industry in action, inspiring future generations of engineers and technicians.
The Chair of the Automotive Industrial Partnership, Jo Lopes, added:
“The Automotive Industrial Partnership brings together industry employers on an unprecedented scale. By working collaboratively and taking an innovative and sector-wide approach, we are ensuring that the UK’s automotive sector can grow and retain the skills talent that is so vital for the industry’s continued success.”
Some of the UK’s biggest automotive employers will work together with the government, SEMTA and SMMT through the Automotive Council to boost workforce skills, now and for the long term. This includes creating an industry standard “jobs framework” and identifying employment “hot spots”, to encourage more young people into automotive manufacturing careers and to deliver clear development pathways to help them to progress.
Some of the initiatives include:
- Giving 4,500 9 year-olds an experience of working in the industry through a one day production simulation
- Taking on 960 11 to 16 year-old Industrial Cadets, to develop vital industry skills in team working, communications and problem solving over a 6 day programme
- Providing a route to work for 225 19 plus year-olds, with a 15 day programme offering vocational training and simulated work activities designed by their potential future employers.
- Existing employees at all levels will also benefit from industry collaboration to strengthen their technical, management and leadership skills. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be supported in gaining access to industry standard skills development.
