§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets he has set for the recruitment of engineers in the next 10 years; and what account he has taken of the current level of UCAS acceptances for engineering degrees. [156167]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe Government do not set targets for the recruitment of engineers. However, we do listen carefully to employers when developing strategies to meet future skills needs in engineering. We also take account of statistical data and research reports from a wide variety of sources, including UCAS. The National Training Organisations (NTOs) also have a key role in providing detailed and accurate information on future skills issues across a range of sectors and we hope to see this role developed and enhanced as a result of the current consultation exercise aimed at strengthening the NTO Network.
It has, however, become increasingly apparent that there is a need for improved information on the developing skills needs in engineering over the longer term, particularly in relation to the new technologies. The need for such information was recognised as a key issue for the Hawley Review of the Engineering Council set up by my noble Friend the Minister for Science and Innovation in October 1999. It is currently being considered in further detail by the Education and Training working group set up by the Engineering Council as part of the transitional arrangements for the establishment of the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) in October 514W 2001. Lord Trefgarne. Chairman of the Engineering and Marine Training Authority (EMTA), the National Training Organisation for engineering manufacture, chairs this group.
The Government recognise the fundamental importance of maintaining an adequate flow of bright and well-motivated people into engineering and we continue to support a wide range of initiatives aimed at promoting engineering as a rewarding and challenging career. These include the Campaign to Promote Engineering (CPE) and the Science Engineering Technology Mathematics Network (SETNET).
The latest initiative in this area is the Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Delivery Programme, to which DTI has committed £6 million over the next three years. This aims to provide young people and their science teachers with access to the very best business-sponsored support materials and schemes by providing a single point of support through each Learning and Skills Council area in England (separate arrangements will apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). The key objective for the programme will be to ensure that every young person in the UK under 16 should have the opportunity to experience an appropriate STEM activity at least once in each Key Stage.
The STEM Delivery Programme will also include the establishment of a nation-wide Science and Engineering Ambassadors Scheme (SEAS) to encourage younger people engaged in careers in science and engineering to go back into schools to encourage others to follow them. This will be launched jointly by DTI and DfEE at the start of Science Year in September 2001.