Engineering skills can drive the economic forward reveals survey

The future growth of the mechanical engineering sector depends on a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, Bill McGinnis, OBE, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Skills Task Force said yesterday.

Speaking at the launch of 'A Study of the Northern Ireland Labour Market for Mechanical Engineering Skills', Mr McGinnis said: “Our research indicates that the supply of mechanical engineering skills does not appear to be as constrained as in other sectors such as electronic engineering and IT which have grown rapidly from a small base.

"However, there are clear indications of a potential shortfall in craft level skills; of skills gaps in the existing workforce; and of a potential mismatch between the skills employers need and those gained by students. These skills needs must be met."

The performance of the mechanical engineering sector in the last decade has been resilient with the creation of 4,500 additional jobs, at time when the manufacturing sector generally has been contracting. This rise is also in contrast to along term trend of decline in the mechanical engineering industry in the UK.

The study was commissioned by Northern Ireland Skills Task Force as part of its programme of detailed research focusing on priority skills – those where a shortfall in supply could potentially hold back the growth of the economy.

Seamus McGuinness, Head of Priority Skills Unit, Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre, said: “The research addresses many issues facing the sector and includes the potential for growth and skill shortages, both of particular importance to employers. Account has also been taken of historical evidence that this sector has been susceptible to large shocks and rapid downscaling of employment.”

Total employment in the mechanical engineering industry was estimated at 28,620 in December 2000 - a quarter of Northern Ireland’s total manufacturing employment.

(GMcG)