£400,000 scheme to address technician skills shortage 30 April 2014

The University of Sheffield is leading a £400,000 scheme to tackle a black hole in universities' technical expertise and to train the engineers and designers of the future.

Terry Croft, director of technical development and modernisation at the University of Sheffield, points to a study by Dr Paul Lewis as part of a Gatsby Foundation-funded project.

This report suggested that 1.5 million science, engineering and technology job opportunities will be created across the country by 2020, with nearly a third of these in higher skilled technician roles.

He also cites research by the Technician Council, which indicates that the UK must educate another 450,000 technicians across all sectors by 2020 to address a massive skills shortage.

Sheffield has secured £400,000 from the HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) to pioneer career pathways for technicians and bring new blood into the profession.

The scheme, which will be rolled out across all higher education institutions in England, aims to improve the excellence and efficiency of the technician workforce by creating a national framework for progression and best practice – as opposed to the current plethora of schemes administered by each of the institutions.

The initiative will run alongside a professional accreditation scheme for technicians now offered by the Institute of Science and Technology (IST), which proves they have the necessary credentials in their field of work.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
University of Sheffield

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.