A new initiative has been launched to address the skills gap facing the manufacturing and engineering sector. The initiative was launched last week at Westminster by national charity Enginuity, which works to promote careers in the sector and bring more young people into the industry.

MPs, sector leaders, apprentices, and education advocates came together for the launch, hosted by Mike Reader, Member of Parliament for Northampton South (pictured second left along with John Parkes, head of charity, Enginuity chair Sir Jim McDonald and chief executive Ann Watson).

Calling for a collective solution that aligns education and training with the practical needs of the sector, the ‘Enginuity Alliance’ is a movement of like-minded organisations and individuals, committed to working together to remove the barriers preventing the industry from developing the skills it needs for the future. 

Industry experts say there is no quick fix to the skills challenge facing the sector. The UK has an annual shortfall of over 186,000 young engineers every year and it can take up to four years to train a Level 3 manufacturing technician – even longer to become a fully qualified engineer.

Meanwhile, changing technology means that half of the workforce already working in manufacturing needs to be re-skilled.

Enginuity has confirmed that it will be sponsoring next year’s Leeds Manufacturing Festival which kicks off in February with the Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair and will run through to June when the best young talent in the sector will be celebrated at the 2025 Leeds Manufacturing Festival awards.

“The Enginuity Alliance is a timely initiative, particularly given plans announced by government for a new Skills England agency,” said Chris Black, president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance.

“We’ve gained a lot of momentum through the Leeds Manufacturing Festival in promoting careers in our sector locally and within the region. But it’s vital to amplify the message and work with policy makers and government agencies on a national level to secure the skills we need for the future of our industry.”

John Parkes, Head of Enginuity Charity, said: “The Enginuity Alliance is a movement that aims to give everyone a voice in shaping policy, to articulate the support they actually need, and to access that support through the community they are part of.  

“But we also aim to bring together those who are doing good, whose solutions make a genuine impact but need to be elevated and amplified to deliver even greater benefit.  

“As the sector connector, Enginuity wants to use the alliance to seek out individuals and organisations delivering truly innovative solutions and help them widen their impact through funding, support and taking them directly to the community as it grows.” 

Sir Jim McDonald GBE, Chair of Enginuity, added: “I believe Enginuity is uniquely positioned, as a charity, to act as the sector connector through the Alliance; to bring together those with solutions to these challenges and the beneficiaries who need them most.” 

No one can close the skills gaps on their own and the Enginuity Alliance needs you to sign up and make the difference. To become an ally, visit: The Enginuity Alliance | Enginuity