UK engineers are world class

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 12, 2003

A recent survey reveals that although people recognise the importance of training for a job, they actually spend more time training for sport or fitness than for work.

A recent survey reveals that although people recognise the importance of training for a job, they actually spend more time training for sport or fitness than for work.

The survey, commissioned by UK Skills, found that 50% of people believed that more training would help improve their current job.

Yet the recent Labour Force Survey (Spring 2003) reveals that in the four weeks before they were interviewed only 15% of working age employees received job-related training compared with 49% of people in the UK Skills survey having spent at least one hour each month training for fitness.

UK Skills urged more young people to consider the benefits of training as they celebrated the achievements of 31 young people who recently competed at the WorldSkills Competition (formerly the Youth Skills Olympics) in St Gallen, Switzerland.

Among the team were14 young people from across the country who represented the UK in the engineering competitions.

The young people competed in trades as diverse as mechatronics and CADD to pattern making and industrial electronics.

The UK team had their achievements formally recognised at a reception, hosted by UK Skills and QCA in Central London on 30th October 2003.

Chris Humphries, Chairman of UK Skills and Ken Boston, Chief Executive of QCA both spoke at the event.

Ivan Lewis MP, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education was on hand to give out certificates to the young people who returned triumphant with two gold medals, two bronze medals and nine international diplomas of excellence.

The young men and women from across the UK competed in a wide range of skill areas from hairdressing and beauty therapy to welding and joinery.

Their success at the competition shows that the UK is continuing to develop world-class standards in vocational skills.

Ivan Lewis comments: "I am delighted to celebrate the success of the UK team.

Through their achievements these young men and women illustrate the high standards of vocational education and training that exist in this country.

"The UK has a shortage of skilled people across a range of sectors.

Our skills strategy launched this summer seeks to close these skills gaps by meeting individuals' and employers' training needs and providing a pathway of high-quality vocational routes into employment.

The nation is beginning to realise that vocational skills are essential to our future success.

The status of vocational training is rising at last bringing personal fulfilment for millions and giving a new impetus to our national productivity ambitions".

Ken Boston comments: "Education and training will help to fulfil your potential.

Whether you concentrate on specialist vocational or occupational areas of study the acquisition of skills will help to realise your ambitions and shape your future".

The WorldSkills competition is held every two years, and took place at St Gallen, Switzerland on 19th-22th June 2003.

The next competition will take place on 26th-29th May 2005 in Helsinki, Finland.