Engineering UK 2006

Engineering UK 2006 builds upon the 2005 edition and previous editions of the 'Digest of Engineering Statistics'. The research involves the production of a guide to labour supply and demand in science, engineering and technology.  To find out more click here

Engineering Foundation Degrees

The project aims to understand the extent and nature of employer engagement in Engineering Foundation Degrees (EFD). A key feature of EFDs is an element of work-based learning. Existing research on the level and nature of employer engagement in EFDs has been extremely limited and at present we have no real understanding of how firms interact with FD providers, how firms are using EFDs and the degree to which they are engaging in EFDs. There is anecdotal evidence that the state of employer engagement in EFDs is variable. The ETB has entered into a partnership with Foundation Degree Forward, to jointly fund this research. The final report is due in February 2007.

Engineering in Further Education

The aim of this project is to consolidate existing statistical data on the state of engineering and technology education within the Further Education (FE) sector. The research examines the underlying causes of the most serious challenges facing engineering and technology in FE.
 
Desk research, which has already been carried out by the ETB, has established that engineering and technology within the FE sector is suffering from chronic drop out rates coupled with a funding gap which is threatening the effectiveness of engineering and technology vocational education. The research will be achieved through the collation of a statistically robust source of data on the state of FE and school 16-19 engineering vocational education.  The statistical data will then be analysed to identify some of the underlying issues facing engineering and technology departments within both FE colleges and the school sixth forms.  Investigation of these issues will permit an analysis of best practice solutions relevant to engineering and technology FE and school 16-19 engineering vocational education. 
 
The ETB is working in partnership with the Learning and Skills Council. We also have support from National Foundation for Engineering Centres (NFEC) and the Association of Colleges (AoC).  The final report is due in April 2007.

Regional Trends in Vocational Education

The research project provides a detailed analysis of the nature and opportunity for progression between apprenticeships and foundation degrees in the science, engineering and technology subjects within the South East of England region.  The work examines provision and progression rates for advanced apprenticeships, Foundation Degrees, and employer demand within the South East Regional Development Agency area.  The ETB have jointly funded this project with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).  Download the summary here.

Business and Industry STEM Mapping Project

This report presents findings of an ongoing mapping and analysis of STEM outreach activities being carried out by the ETB in conjunction with a number of our Business and Industry Panel members. It illustrates the extent to which business and industry support is provided to SET-based industries and also considers potential opportunities to consolidate and align these firm-based STEM outreach activities.

The report is intended to complement the recent publication of the DfES’s STEM mapping review, which has reviewed Government funded STEM outreach activity. Published in January 2007.