Enginuity Alliance launched to address growing skills gap

Launched at the House of Commons on November 21, 2024, the Alliance is aiming to amplify impactful voices already making a difference in industry by connecting them with funding, similar initiatives and like-minded individuals.

Those that join the Alliance will have a voice in the projects that Enginuity funds, driving hands-on impact through pilots or shaping the charity’s active projects.

Members will also have the opportunity to share their thoughts on government policy and projects – including, for instance, what they want Skills England, the Department for Education’s new arms-length body, to do differently going forward. Enginuity said it will use the Alliance’s input to shape its discussions with Skills England and future consultations.

“The Enginuity Alliance is the start of a movement, a movement that aims to give those in the sector that may be furthest away from this building, in every sense, a voice in shaping policy, to articulate the support they need, and to access this support from within the community,” said John Parkes, head of Charity at Enginuity.

“Enginuity want to use the Alliance to seek individuals and organisations delivering truly innovative solutions, to help widen their impact through funding support and taking them directly to the community as it grows.”

Current research shows that manufacturing and productivity in the UK lags behind other leading economies such as Germany and Japan, and Enginuity said that this is partly due to the skills gap.

Without a workforce skilled in advanced manufacturing and engineering techniques, businesses face increased downtime, slow innovation cycles and reduced ability to integrate technologies.

“While it is positive to see the government talk about an integrated skills policy and things like Skills England and curriculum reform following years of chronic underinvestment, we can accelerate its growth,” added Parkes. “We all have a part to play, and government alone cannot deliver this growth. As the saying goes: if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. The Enginuity Alliance is about gong far, together.”

The launch of the Alliance was sponsored by Labour MP for Northampton South, Mike Reader, who is a civil engineer.

“Engineering and manufacturing are massively important to the UK, from the advanced technologies that will drive our net zero mission, to the precise engineering which will underpin our healthcare system. This is an industry that really does define our country,” said Reader.

“I’m really pleased to hear about Enginuity’s work, and the new Alliance supporting skills and talent development issues that our sector faces. I think its right that by bringing together educators, employers and policy makers, that an organisation like this starts to build a community that faces the challenges head on.

“But I know you can’t do this alone, and need a government that will help to make sure there’s direction, there’s investment, and there’s long-term commitment to supporting the sector. Our vision is clear, that with the industrial strategy being brought forward, we must combine both innovation and inclusion to make sure that we consider how to bring the next generation of engineers into our industry.”

Learn more, and join the Enginuity Alliance, here.