I have called for urgent action from the UK and Scottish Governments to address Scotland’s skills shortage crisis as research from Scottish Engineering found skills pipeline gaps for existing industry are “an immediately stark situation” with “no allowance for the additional demands” of offshore wind, grid infrastructure investment, decarbonising heat energy or green hydrogen production.
The report, Engineering Skills Gap Analysis for Scotland, found existing industry in Scotland needs an additional 58% of new engineers by the end of 2027, of which over 75% are delivered by apprenticeship programmes.
However, the report also found that 20% of demand for apprentice training programmes went unmet this year due to “real terms funding cuts to apprenticeships in Scotland”.
I have written to Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey MSP, to raise my concerns and have submitted a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for the Scottish and UK Government to encourage the next generation of skilled workers and make the funding and resources needed to provide the apprenticeships of today for the jobs of tomorrow.
I also called for the Scottish Government to take action to foster a new partnership between schools, colleges, universities and industry to ensure young people are aware and able to take advantage of the opportunities available in Scotland’s industrial sector. This will be debated in the Scottish Parliament on the 30th January.
I keep hearing politicians talk about the number of job opportunities that are coming up from our work towards a green industrial future but without the skilled workers we need, these opportunities mean little.
Our economic future is entirely dependent on a strong engineering and industrial base but the figures from Scottish Engineering are clear that we are at risk of jeopardising that future if we do not get a handle of this situation urgently.
When I have spoken to representatives in engineering across the region I represent, they are clear that the shortage of skilled workers is creating a pool of workers that are being shared out across Scotland and the UK leaving massive gaps and shortages – this is not good if we want to realise the shift to green industry.
As this shift is being pushed forward by both the Scottish and UK Governments, I think it is essential that they work together to find the resources and funding needed to provide apprenticeships.
I also believe the Scottish Government must foster a new partnership between schools, colleges, university and industry so that young people know what job opportunities are available in the engineering and industrial sectors and what they need to do to secure work in these areas – for their future and for the future of Scotland’s economy.
