Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what progress he has made in implementing professor John Perkins' Review of Engineering Skills published by his Department in November 2013.

The Perkins Review of engineering skills made it clear that boosting the number engineers was not an agenda that Government could tackle alone. Engineering employers, the profession and educators should work together with Government to increase the supply of engineers in the UK.

Government published a one year on progress report in November 2014. This summarised all the actions taken by Government and the engineering community (led by RAEng) in response to the review. This can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/369566/bis-14-1164-engineering-skills-perkins-review-progress-report.pdf

Government interventions include:

Inspiring young people to consider engineering careers through the Tomorrow’s Engineers week, STEM ambassadors in schools and improved careers advice. We are reforming the curriculum to support science and innovation with more rigorous science GCSEs, new Science A levels, Tech Level and Technical Baccalaureate qualifications and more University Technical Colleges specialising in technical and scientific subjects.

We are committed to 3m apprenticeship starts this parliament and many of the new employer-led trailblazer apprenticeships standards are in the engineering and manufacturing sector. We are rolling out more degree and higher level apprenticeships to deliver the high level technical skills employers need. We have introduced National Colleges to provide high level skills in sectors crucial for the economy.

We have invested in higher education for STEM teaching facilities (£200m) and the teaching of high cost subject such as engineering (£185m).