MP in call for debate on skills
TEESSIDE MP Ashok Kumar has called for a vigorous debate on ensuring there are enough trained engineers to meet the technological demands from new developments in the Tees Valley.
Dr Kumar, the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “Whilst this is a particular issue for the Tees Valley, it is also a national issue, and I did raise the matter with Treasury Minister Angela Eagle in the House of Commons.
“She agreed we needed to maintain a constant supply of 250,000 high quality apprenticeships a year, merely to keep pace with the demands of an evolving engineering industry, and that Treasury Ministers were constantly liaising with industry and our universities to heighten the skills profile of the UK economy,” he added.
“In the Tees Valley we have big developments underway, especially in the chemicals sector.”
Dr Kumar said he knew from the North East Process Industry Cluster that the North-east faced a potential shortfall of 20,000 skilled workers in the process sector alone by 2014. The shortfall was exacerbated by both an aging population and increased global competition for skilled and newly trained workers.
Major development, such as Sonhoe’s plans for a £2bn oil refinery at Wilton, is increasing the need for more skilled staff.
He added: “I can well understand new engineering graduates from this area could well be tempted by a sense of adventure to work abroad, and it is our job to persuade them their home area has career opportunities which are just as attractive.
“We have new developments like the Sonhoe heavy oils refinery, the burgeoning biofuels industry and growing new opportunities for offshore oil and gasfield exploitation.
“These developments need skilled people and it is crucial we encourage as many as possible of our youngsters to go down this particular career path.”
