Skills and Innovation in Manufacturing
Ian Pearson today outlined the Government's plans to
improve skills in the manufacturing industry.
During a speech at the Technology Strategy Board Conference
today the Minister of State for the Department for Innovation,
Universities and Skills (DIUS) said the DIUS Science and Innovation
Strategy would help address the need for increased manufacturing
skills in the UK today.
Mr Pearson stated that the Technology Strategy Board was a vital
part in this development and would spend £1 billion over the next
three years supporting such innovation by investing in development
and connecting businesses and researchers, such as
universities.
The Minister also spoke of the Apprenticeship and Train to Gain
schemes, stressing that industry employers had a lot to gain from
participating in them. He went on to discuss the imminent
publication of the Higher Level Skills strategy, which would invite
views on the plans for Higher Education to respond to the needs of
employers to develop their workforces.
During his speech Mr Pearson also spoke of the importance of
initiatives such as the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform in
both addressing environmental issues and reacting the creation of
new markets and changes in public demand.