UK: The House of Commons Transport Select Committee has launched an inquiry into current and future skills needs across the transport manufacturing sector, and how the government can provide support by planning and investing in skills.
MPs will examine the health of the train, motor vehicle, bus, ship and aircraft manufacturing sectors, and the skills needed for production as well as for design, research, technology, fitting out and in the wider supply chain.
This will include looking at how the skills needed will continue to change, and routes into the sector through apprenticeships, university or vocational qualifications.
Attracting inward investment
The Committee says the manufacturing of transport equipment produced £33·9bn of gross value added in 2024.
‘These are sectors with ecosystems of businesses and supply chains that contribute significantly to the economy, and which many communities are fundamentally rooted in’, Transport Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury said on July 22.
Cadbury said addressing the challenges of competition from abroad, technological changes and the need to reduce emissions ‘could make the UK more attractive to inward investment from transport companies in other countries who want to import UK-made vehicles, or who’d want to set up their factories here. Having a thriving, skilled workforce could also reduce the risk of companies upping sticks to other countries, leaving communities behind.’
Written evidence can be submitted until September 15.
Joined-up thinking
The inquiry was welcomed by Rail Forum CEO Elaine Clark. ’In rail – as in other transport sectors – long-term, joined-up thinking across government, industry and education is vital to close skills gaps, develop clear pathways into the sector, and ensure we are equipping people with the capabilities needed for modern, high-value manufacturing and innovation’, she said. ’Rail Forum looks forward to engaging with the inquiry and contributing insight from our diverse membership across the UK’s rail supply chain.’
