September 2002

Westminster Report, IEE Review

All is quiet on the Westminster front - at least in the House of Commons - as Parliamentarians are in the midst of the Summer Recess. MPs return to Parliament after the Party Conference Season on October 15th. Though, as I often tell disbelieving constituents, the work still goes on: MPs still receive hundreds of letters each week which need attention, advice surgeries are still held, and the recess provides an opportunity to visit local companies and organisations which cannot so easily be visited in ‘term time’. So it really ain’t all holiday!

In the Commoners’ absence, however, their Lordships in “the other place” (in the Commons Chamber, we never say “The House of Lords” - we still haven’t forgiven them for allowing King Charles to dissolve the Commons back in 1642) have been ever vigilant.

At the tail end of the last Parliamentary Session, a number of Peers expressed concern about the lack our engineering skills base and funding difficulties for potential students. In a debate on vocational qualifications, Lord Trefgarne noted the difficulties the engineering industry face in general in addressing skill shortages. He argued that the responsibility for bridging the skills gap lies with both employers and government. They must work together in partnership to address the need to raise skills levels in industry. In the engineering sector, it is vital that training is encouraged so that employees are ready and able to exploit the future.

The Peer noted that the recruitment needs of the engineering sector require about 33,000 modern apprentices to be in training at any one time. At present there are 22,000 apprentices compared to 8,000 in 1994. While this is at least a move in the right direction, there are still a number of funding difficulties.

Lord Trefgarne said that whilst 16-18 year olds attract the full national rate of funding for a modern apprenticeship, funding for those who are over the age of 19, is available for only 56% of the national rate. For the over 25s, it is not available at all. I agree. It seems absurd that this funding anomaly exists given that the engineering industry is most keen to attract the over 19-age group.

Lord Trefgarne also urged that the Learning and Skills Council rescind their decision to drop financial support for higher national diplomas, higher national certificates and NVQ level 4 qualifications. He pointed out that this will have severe repercussions in attracting technicians into the industry. It will also have an impact on increasing entry into higher education from modern apprenticeship programmes because the vast majority of higher education programmes that come from technicians are from those with HNC, HD or NVQ level 4 qualifications.

Also in the Upper House, Labour Peer and former Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Lord Sheldon asked the Government what steps are being taken to increase the proportion of students at university studying science and engineering?

In answer, junior Education and Skills Minister Baroness Ashton noted that there are more young people in the UK with science and engineering degrees than in most OECD countries. However, Baroness Ashton acknowledged that in some subjects such as engineering, the number of students has decreased.

She said that the Government are promoting science and engineering through a wide variety of initiatives. These include Science Year and Science and Engineering Ambassadors. The Government are also funding a number of activities to support women in science and engineering. A key component of the Science Ambassador programme is to ensure that there are good role models for young people, particularly young women who might be considering applying for a career in engineering. She added that the Government are still considering the recommendations of the recent report by Sir Gareth Roberts on the supply of science and engineering and technology skills.

This was a theme touched on by the Prime Minister in an article for New Scientist. He stated that the Government’s “strategy is to expand research funding and put it on the road to sustainability. We want to keep this generation of scientists working in the field and inspire a new generation in our schools."

Whilst I am sure that the Government are making important efforts to increase the skills base, it seems that much more needs to be done, especially if we are to reverse the alarming slide of the number of engineering students.

Given the problems in attracting students into engineering, I am pleased to see that the Government has decided to extend Science Year until July 2003. Launched in September 2001, Science Year has given up to £4 million in new science resources to schools in England, including digital microscopes, digital whiteboards and biotechnology kits. It is also improving links with industry, which is absolutely essential.

There is also good news on another frontier of technology. Eight new projects utilising solar power have won a share of a Government grant. The medium and large scale projects have each won a share of a £1.32 million and are the first to be approved under the £20 million programme. Commenting on the grant, Trade and Industry Minister Brian Wilson it is vital that British manufacturers of solar equipment start to build a supply chain for the growing solar market. It is expected that there will be £2 billion a year market for renewable energy by 2010. The main drivers for this will be the renewables obligation that will put an obligation on electricity suppliers to supply 10% of their electricity from renewable energy sources. There is also an additional £260 million support programme that has been provided over the next three years.

As a keen proponent of solar power this is excellent news, provided it doesn’t put up energy costs dramatically putting yet another burden on Britain’s already hard pressed manufacturing industry. The Government in their enthusiasm will have to ensure that this does not happen.