Is Britain skilled enough to leave the EU?
With the EU Referendum occurring tomorrow, James Turnpenny, Team Manager for Engineering at JAM Recruitment, has commented on the implications of Brexit on the manufacturing job market:
"The implications that would arise from the UK leaving the European Union are vast and wide ranging, with an impact expected to be seen across a whole host of areas – we’ve all heard of the changes that a break away will have on topics such as the economy and immigration, however a decision to leave could lead to the UK suffering from an even greater skills shortage. It’s already been reported that the UK will need over a million new engineers and technicians by 2020 in order to tackle the skills crisis.
"Put simply, the UK doesn’t currently have the required levels of trained workers within the engineering industry to leave the EU. Across many industries we’re in a similar position as we find ourselves in with engineering. Within the sector, there is currently a war for talent, as we’re not in a position where we have the trained home-grown workforce that would allow us to continue operating at a level the industry requires.
"The much publicised current skills shortage means we’re increasingly looking to other nations to source workers who posses the required skillset to fill roles. Presently, a high proportion of students enrolled in engineering courses are overseas students meaning that once they’re qualified they may decide, or be forced, to return home – a victory for the ‘Yes’ campaign would certainly have an impact on the number of skilled workers in the UK."