Semta raises the bar on skills investment

Advanced Manufacturing businesses need sector expert skills support - that was the clear message from Semta's Raising the Bar skills summit at the House of Lords.

Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, brought leading businesses and policy makers together to review the success of Semta's sector compact and to assess future skills needs of Advanced Manufacturing.

As well as case studies presented by Jaguar LandRover, New Holland Agriculture and W H Tildesley, there were contributions from skills champion Baroness Wall of New Barnet, Jacqui Henderson CBE of the National Skills Forum and Allan Cook CBE, Chairman of Semta, and Chairman of WS Atkins plc, SELEX Galileo and also the UK Trade & Investment's Advanced Engineering Sector Advisory Board.

Said Allan Cook: “As we look to rebalance the UK economy, it is clear that a strong engineering and advanced manufacturing sector is vital. To be competitive, the sector needs to recruit new talent and to upskill its workforce.

“The key to galvanising employers to invest in skills is being able to demonstrate the business benefit and this can only be achieved by 'specialist sector knowledge' provided by a sector skills council like Semta. Semta can accurately determine training needs and signpost quality assured training providers who ensure return on investment.”

Said Colin Larkin, plant manager, New Holland Agriculture: “With support from Semta and their Business 2 Skills diagnostic tool, we improved our performance by upskilling our workforce which contributed to £1.2 million pounds of savings in 2010, and we are on course to save a similar amount in 2011.”

Said Jacqui Henderson of the National Skills Forum: “The Semta Compact report very clearly demonstrates the value of sector specific information, advice and engagement of employers by staff who have experience and expertise in the sector and help increase the return on their investment in the crucial task of raising the skills of their employees.”

Said José Lopes, Head of Technical Excellence, Jaguar Land Rover: "Jaguar Land Rover was recently named in the The Times top 50 Employers for Women list and our work with Semta's Women and Work Project was a significant contributor towards this prestigous recognition".

John Tildesley, Managing Director, W H Tildesley Limited explained how he planned to increase the number of apprentices at his firm. “Semta helped us identify the key areas of skills development that would add the most value to our business going forward and provide a return on investment,” he said.