New scheme to improve manufacturing skills

The skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies (Semta) has launched the UK Metals, Mechanicals and Electrical Sector Skills Agreement (MMESSA) to strengthen business in the sector through a focus on workforce development.

The council's research found the sector is losing approximately £570 million every year due to lost productivity and has secured £65 million of government funding to tackle the problem.

The new scheme will set out to improve leadership and management through leadership and coaching, enable more businesses to adopt lean manufacturing techniques, address the technical skills gap and increase the number and quality of apprentice schemes.

Semta's chief executive, Philip Whiteman, said: "During a period of economic turbulence, one of the ways companies can invest in future success is to train staff; the MMESSA enables employers to understand the types of training and development that can lead to the best economic results. Ideally, employers would aim to implement each of the four key themes identified in the Sector Skills Agreement over time.