Get close to industry to fill manufacturing skills gap, universities told

The rise of advanced technology and robotics is leading to a manufacturing skills shortage, and universities need to get closer to their industry partners to redress it, a report from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills says.

The UKCES report Sector Insights: Skills and performance challenges in the advanced manufacturing sector, which was published on 29 June, says that the growing importance of R&D in advanced manufacturing has led to greater demand for staff with higher degrees and specialisms.

To ensure that the needs of industry are met the report recommends that, where appropriate, universities should embed technology skills at the heart of a wide range of STEM-related programmes, alongside leadership, management and supply-chain management skills.