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Research: Survey of Registered Engineers Topic: Skills Date: November 2007 Source: The Engineering and Technology Board Overview: For over ten years the Engineering Council and, since 2003, the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) have regularly commissioned ERS Research to conduct surveys of registered engineers. In addition to earnings information, the 2007 survey has focused on: • motivations for seeking professional registration; • the impact of professional registration on careers; and, • the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The full report provides the findings of the 2007 survey, making comparisons with findings of the 2005 survey where appropriate. The ETB activity: The research shows that with growing salary levels there are clear benefits accrued to those enjoying registered engineer status. All interested parties need to do more to promote the value and benefits of registration to existing and potential registered engineers, their learning providers and their employers. This will also help to raise the image and reputation of engineering as a career in which CPD can play an important role for both employer, through up-skilling, and employee through enhanced prospects, status and recognition. Further information: To download the full report, click here |
Research: The Costs of Teaching Engineering Degrees Topic: Education Date: November 2007 Source: The Engineering and Technology Board Overview: A study was commissioned in 2007 from JM Consulting by the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) and the Engineering Professors’ Council (EPC) into the possible mismatch between the costs and resource requirements of, and funding for, the teaching of engineering degrees in UK Higher Education Institutions. The report published on the ETB and EPC websites provides detailed case studies undertaken in four Higher Education (HE) establishments in England, covering a range of engineering disciplines and institution types. Information from institutions' management accounts was used in the analysis along with the outputs from the national Higher Education costing system. The ETB activity: The findings demonstrate that under-funding has created an imbalance between the resources for, and the needs of, engineering subject teaching in HE. The capacity for further efficiency savings is limited and the EPC and the ETB therefore believe that, for the long-term sustainability of engineering disciplines, which are strategic to the UK, funding must better reflect the true costs of teaching. Just to match the sector mean in UK Departments, an increase of 14% would be required. However, the evidence suggests that to maintain current teaching standards, a significantly higher increase is necessary. Further information: To download the full report, click here. To download a summary of this report, click here. |
Report: World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All Topic: Education and Skills Date: January 2008 Source: Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills Overview: This report outlines the measures the Government will take to ensure apprenticeships become a mainstream option for young people, as well as plans to boost apprenticeships for older learners. Some of the headline recommendations within the report are that: • National completion certificates will be issued to Apprentices at the end of the programme, with a consistent national brand and format. These will provide future employers with clearly recognisable statements of the Apprentice’s competency and training. • The government will integrate Apprenticeships with the rest of learning: Apprenticeship component qualifications will be included in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), enabling easier movement between the 14–19 Diplomas and Apprenticeships, and providing the supporting advice to make young people fully aware of their options. • A new National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) will be introduced with the senior leadership and resources to have end-to-end accountability for the Apprenticeship programme. • A dedicated field force will be implemented to support employers and Apprentices through an Apprenticeship, from initial interest to completion and progression. • There will be greater range and flexibility for Apprenticeships: a more flexible and responsive model will be developed for Apprenticeship frameworks. Employers will be allowed to submit their own frameworks for funding. • There will be additional funding for Apprenticeships for those aged 25 or over, flexibility in adult learning budgets, an Apprenticeship ‘credit’ delivered via skills accounts to improve transparency for employers and learners, funds to cater for unanticipated demand. The ETB activity: The ETB welcomes this important review and supports the governments recommendations in this area. We would urge that in this reform the proposed NAS and existing stakeholders make assurances that the vital need for Science, Engineering and Technology Technicians is recognised. The ETB would welcome seeing detailed data or assurances that showed that the increased numbers were going to be directed at strategically important areas for the UK, specifically Level 3 Engineering apprenticeships. Further information: |
Report: Race to the Top for UK Science and Innovation Topic: Innovation Date: November 2007 Source: HM Treasury Overview: This Review of the Government’s science and innovation policies was commissioned by Gordon Brown, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, as part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review. The report concludes that the UK economy should focus on high-value goods, services and industries in the light of global competition. In order to fulfil this aspiration it offers a series of policy recommendations: • The Technology Strategy Board to have a key leadership role in coordinating technology and innovation. • Building on knowledge transfer with high-technology clusters growing around UK research universities. • Support to be given to early-stage high-technology companies. • A major campaign to improve the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths. • Government departments to have a role in stimulating innovation. The ETB activity: Following the launch of this report Lord Sainsbury presented the outputs of this review at a joint event hosted by the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) and technology company, Altran, at the Wellcome Collection in London. At this event Dr John Morton, Chief Executive of the ETB, said: “Lord Sainsbury has given outstanding leadership to the SET community. His most recent review of science and innovation clearly articulates the complex challenges facing science and innovation today. The engineering sector has a major part to play in responding to the opportunities and threats presented by the modern world. The challenge now is for Government and business and industry to work together to advance and maintain the innovation and infrastructure needed to support society and the global economy.” Further information: To download the full report, click here. To download a press release for this event, click here. |
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