Debating skills - Comment added
Process Engineering is to host a lunchtime debate, titled ‘Barriers to Training and Achievement’, during the PPMA 2012 exhibition at the Birmingham NEC.
The panel-led discussion, on 27 Sept, is unlikely to cover all the ground on this continuing problem, but will, at least, try to get to the heart of the issue.
To help set the agenda, we are asking readers to identify factors that prevent employers from raising skills levels across their workforce, and/or prevent employees from reaching their full potential.
(Please post an on-line comment in the panel below, or email patrick.raleigh@synthesismedia.co.uk)
For my part, over recent years there has been much high-level discussion about the skills shortages in the process industries.
Suggested solutions to the problem have ranged from targeting of teachers, parents and children – in both primary and secondary schools – to the greater use of role models, such as CEOs who have started their careers as apprentices.
At a recent debate, one commentator even suggested that the engineering profession club together to sponsor a TV series – along the lines of LA Law and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which have, arguably, popularised the legal and forensic science professions, respectively.
As a further complexity, a University of Birmingham study of about a year ago found that, instead of skills shortages, many engineering graduates were struggling to find jobs in the UK.
While all these various views and inputs are of value, the very fact that industry continues to debate this matter suggests that little real progress is being made.
Missing, it seems, are agreed starting points from where to measure progress, as well as an agreed set of metrics to track progress going forward.
As every engineer knows,‘if you can’t measure it, you can’t control it.’
Readers' comments (3)
Sam O'Prey | 8 Aug 2012 10:48 am
The main area that seems to prevent employers from investing in training for their employees appears to be time.
Your last comment that every engineer know, 'if you can't measure it, you can't control it' is very apt. In a recent survey we conducted on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing we found that 60% of the answers came back as incorrect. This is a core skill that every engineer should have yet the skill level has been getting worse not better in the UK.
The reason behind this is possibly due to a loss of skilled workers during the recession but also due to companies growing and taking on more work they simply can't find the time to send their workers on the training they need. But this is catch 22, if they do not train their staff they will not get the right results, their reputation may suffer and they may end up losing contracts as a result.
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Dean Alexander Pattinson | 8 Aug 2012 7:03 pm
Many people believe that a degree makes one capable and ready to tackle any problem. My experience shows clearly that previous experience wins hands down.
Employers want to employ people only after the contract has been landed, then use the people to complete the work usually inn effectively.
Maybe the employers should enter thier possible future needs into a central database, thereby giving people and institutions an idea of where they should train and study.
In short. Companies have not trained employees for decades now. They expect that this resource is available on demand.
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Paul Brown | 11 Sep 2012 3:12 pm
Young people who attend ATG for basic skills training supported by academic learning (BTEC level3) are in the main unaware of the opportunities within the process industry. Thus as curriculum manager I invite “Process Engineering” companies to visit ATG and explain the industry.
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