Training UK workers must be key priority, says a Shropshire boss
The UK must encourage the controlled free movement of foreign workers while training its own workforce in order to help manufacturing to thrive, a Shropshire boss has said.
Industry organisation EEF has published a survey showing that a quarter of manufacturing firms have seen the number of applications coming from EU nationals decrease, while 16 per cent say workers from the EU have left jobs.
The survey also showed that two thirds of manufacturers recruit EU nationals due to insufficient UK applicants, and a third do so because the skills they require are not available in the UK.
Christopher Greenough, director at Shrewsbury-based Salop Design and Engineering and president of industry body Made In The Midlands, said training of the domestic workforce is a necessity in order to allow the manufacturing sector to continue its recent strong performance.
"We cannot turn our backs on the skills that are in the market place, and indeed we need to encourage free movement of skilled workers," he said.
"But we must control this movement. What is key is that the policy of training our on workforce for the future of UK manufacturing must become a top priority for this and any future Government.
"We need to be able to control our own products, make our own products and have less reliance on imports. We need a long term strategy that supports UK manufacturing, and this includes making sure we have the labour and skills available to grow."
EEF director of employment and skills Tim Thomas said skills shortages are "endemic in manufacturing and engineering", and warned a points-based immigration system could affect the sector.
Mr Greenough said the Government had made developing skills one of the key pillars of its industrial strategy, after a long period of under-investment in the sector.
"This pillar was to look at business needs, and match this through the strategy, to help promote business, STEM subjects and allow training to be tailored to a job role requirement," he said.
"This, in time, will make sure manufacturing has a workforce ready to help push the sector forward. But, this will take a time to create the value roles and workforce required.
"To further exacerbate the issue, with the impact of Brexit, the skills gap may grow as foreign skilled workers are unsure of their futures."
