12 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS September 2024 www.hpmag.co.uk NEWS Lydia Amarquaye, Education & Skills Policy Lead at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers recently congratulated all students receiving their A Level, T Level, and BTEC results last month. She noted that it was particularly heartening to see STEM subjects prominently featured among the top ten A Level choices this year. This trend underscored a growing recognition of the critical role that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics play in shaping the future. The knowledge and skills gained from these disciplines are essential for driving innovation and addressing the complex challenges of tomorrow. The notable increase in participation in maths, further maths, and physics was especially encouraging, with a 10.2% rise in maths and a 19.9% rise in physics compared to the previous year. These subjects are recognised as pivotal for those pursuing engineering courses at university. The year 2024 also marked the debut of the ‘Engineering and Manufacturing’ T Levels. Some of these students received apprenticeship offers following their placements, while others applied for new apprenticeships or advanced to higher education programmes. Amarquaye emphasised the ongoing need to support T Level graduates as they transition into technical roles or further studies, highlighting the importance of enhancing understanding of the T Level qualification and the depth of learning it encompasses. Additionally, students who completed engineering-related BTEC qualifications are now poised to apply for apprenticeships. Despite uncertainties surrounding future funding for BTECs, their indispensable role in providing a solid technical foundation for further development in apprenticeships and other qualifications was duly acknowledged. Amarquaye concluded by noting that the diverse range of educational options reflects the extensive skills gaps within the engineering sector. She reiterated the need for continued efforts to increase both the number and diversity of young people engaging in STEM subjects to effectively meet the demands of the industry. 2024 A Level, T Level, and BTEC results reflect growing interest in STEM subjects The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has issued a response to the UK Government’s proposal to restrict overseas hiring for technology and engineering positions. Stephanie Baxter, Head of Policy at the IET, expressed support for the Government’s commitment to addressing the UK’s skills shortages by focusing on training and developing domestic engineers and technicians. However, she cautioned that this effort should not undermine the sector’s ability to attract highly skilled international talent. Baxter highlighted the importance of the Migration Advisory Committee’s forthcoming review, which aims to assess the challenges employers face in recruiting and retaining engineers and technicians. She stressed the need for the sector to have a voice in this review to ensure that its concerns are considered before any decisions are made. The IET has observed significant recruitment challenges within the sector, with employers struggling to fill graduate roles. The recent increase in the salary threshold for a general skilled worker visa from £26,200 to £38,700 has made it difficult for many employers to recruit international graduates, as the new threshold exceeds the average salary for domestic employees. This change has led some employers to cease hiring international graduates, exacerbating the skills shortage in the UK. Baxter also pointed to the introduction of Skills England as a potential means to address these issues. The IET noted that the skills shortage in engineering costs the UK economy £1.5 billion annually and that despite ongoing reports of these challenges over the past 15 years, there has been little progress in resolving them. She emphasised the need for a balanced approach that includes building a robust domestic pipeline of engineers and technologists, starting from schools and extending through continuous upskilling and reskilling, while also maintaining the ability to attract global talent. Baxter concluded that limiting opportunities for international recruitment could hinder efforts to effectively address the skills shortage in key industries. Concerns over UK Government’s proposal to limit overseas hiring for engineering and tech jobs
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