Skills Support for the Workforce - Executive Summaryssw.fundingunit.org.uk/.../09/FNR_MDA_Eng_EE.100918.docx · Web viewBy 2024, 47% of people employed in the electronics and electrical

Future skills needs in the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership Area

More Developed Area: York and North Yorkshire

Engineering:Electrical and Electronics

Beyond 2030 has produced this Report on behalf of Calderdale College and as part of the College’s delivery of the 2017-18 ESF funded Skills Support for the Workforce programme across the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership Area.

June 2018

YNYER Future Skills Needs – Engineering Sector. Electrical and Eectronics

Executive Summary

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (YNYER LEP) has commissioned a series of research reports, which will allow key decision makers to understand more fully the future skills needs of the YNYER LEPs eight identified priority sectors.

Engineering is extremely significant to the UK economy, contributing £433 billion in 2015, about 26% of total GVA. There are nine key industries in which engineering skills are fundamental. To note is that the built environment, manufacturing and IT and communications sectors have the greatest number of firms using engineering skills.

This report considers the electrical and electronic engineering within the wider engineering sector.

Beyond 2030 spoke with 12 employers in this subsector across the MDA and relevant stakeholders such as the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) to inform this report, in addition to drawing on the sources mentioned in the bibliography.

More Developed Area (MDA) of York and North Yorkshire

York and North Yorkshire is divided into eight Local Authorities: Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby and the City of York.

In 2016, it had a resident population of 813,300. Over 411,000 individuals are employed in the area. Employment rates stand at 80.7% for North Yorkshire and 77.5% in York compared to the LEP average of 78.8%.

The largest employment sectors across North Yorkshire and York are health and social work, accommodation and food services, and retail.

Electrical and Electronics subsector

Electrical engineering is a profession of engineering that deals with the study of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism.

The subsector has 670 businesses, employing 5,000, within North Yorkshire and York. The majority of businesses in the subsector are involved in the field of electrical installation. 87% of the businesses employ less than 10 individuals. Harrogate and Selby districts have the greatest number of individuals working in the

subsector. 37% of the workforce are classified as skilled trades. This includes electricians and electrical

fitters, telecommunications engineers, TV, video and audio engineers. 21% are professional occupations (i.e. design and development engineers).

There is low diversity across the subsector workforce, with just 11% of the workers female. With an ageing workforce and a lack of young people, the subsector could face significant

challenges in filling vacancies moving forward.

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There is recruitment across the subsector. However, employers are seeing a lack of diversity in applicants and in some instances a lack of practical experience.

45% of the workforce hold a level 4 or above qualification. Electrical engineers work in a very wide range of industries and the skills required are

likewise variable. Several electrical and electronic engineering roles are listed on the UK shortage occupational

list. The following occupations and skills are particularly needed and valued by employers:

o Engineers educated to degree/HNC level. o Electrically qualified to latest 17th edition.o Experience of PLC (programmable logic controller) software (Siemens, Omron,

Rockwell).o Ability to use own initiative. o Health and safety training/knowledge. o Driving licence.

Identification of the appropriate training can be easily recognised by the individuals holding special identification cards, such as ECS cards.

Employers do support apprenticeships, but micro firms report challenges relating to a lack of time, cost and finding interested candidates.

The sector, in terms of overall employment, is not expected to grow, but replacement demands means the sector will have job openings.

However, employers have identified a number of challenges which are a risk to their business, including a current shortage of engineers and a lack of diversity.

Looking forwards there will be a shift towards more people holding higher qualifications. 78% of businesses believe that digital technologies and automation in the sector will

advance rapidly in the next ten years. There are a number of external factors which seem certain to impact on the subsector in the

next few years.

Acknowledgements

Beyond 2030 would like to extend thanks to the employers in this subsector across the area and both local and national stakeholders such as the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) who provided their time and assistance in giving us valuable insights into the issues facing the subsector.

Beyond 2030 are indebted to Calderdale College for their guidance and support in completing this report.

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ContentsExecutive Summary...............................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgements...............................................................................................................................3

1 Introduction to the LEP and the research......................................................................................5

1.1 Engineering sector.................................................................................................................5

1.2 York and North Yorkshire MDA..............................................................................................6

1.3 Local Authorities....................................................................................................................7

2 Electrical and electronics engineering, North Yorkshire................................................................9

2.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................9

2.1.1 Subsector definition.......................................................................................................9

2.1.2 Engineering in York and North Yorkshire.......................................................................9

2.2 Electrical and Electronics engineering economy and employment......................................10

2.2.1 Jobs people do.............................................................................................................12

2.3 Skills needs – Primary research testing the data..................................................................14

2.3.1 Recruitment and retention..........................................................................................14

2.3.2 What are the current skills needs and skills gaps?.......................................................15

2.3.3 Training........................................................................................................................16

2.4 Apprenticeships...................................................................................................................17

2.5 Future requirements............................................................................................................18

2.5.1 Sector growth..............................................................................................................18

2.5.2 Replacement need and total demand..........................................................................19

2.5.3 Qualifications...............................................................................................................20

2.5.4 Future roles and skills..................................................................................................20

2.6 Drivers of change.................................................................................................................21

2.6.1 Political........................................................................................................................21

2.6.2 Social............................................................................................................................21

2.6.3 Technological...............................................................................................................22

2.6.4 Environmental..............................................................................................................22

3 Annex...........................................................................................................................................23

3.1 Electrical and electronics.....................................................................................................23

4 Bibliography.................................................................................................................................24

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1 Introduction to the LEP and the research

The York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (YNYER LEP) has commissioned a series of research reports which informs key decision makers as to the future skills needs of eight identified priority sectors. These sectors are:

• Visitor Economy. • Food Manufacture.• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE). • Health and Social Care. • Construction. • Engineering. • Agri-tech.• Bio Renewables.

As the economic and political situation changes, it is almost universally acknowledged that improved skills, not least because of the link to enhanced productivity, is a key way by which to improve economic well-being. Consequently, LEPs across England are looking at how best to support sectors with growth potential and which therefore may generate future wealth and prosperity.

In this research, Beyond 2030 sought to understand the future skills needs required to ensure that within the YNYER LEP area, priority sectors can recruit and develop world class employees.

As well as wanting to understand the characteristics and future needs of the eight sectors, the LEP hopes to develop an understanding of the most significant subsectors in each priority area by geography.

1.1 Engineering sector

Engineering cuts across many industries including manufacturing, construction, information and communication, and energy. It plays a vital role in the UK’s economy, providing large-scale employment and physical exports, as well as implementing solutions to many challenges.

Engineers use skills such as science, maths and practical knowledge to design and build machines, systems, processes and structures. Engineers will generally specialise in one particular area, although many eventually further their knowledge to become a multi skilled engineer.

2018 is the Year of Engineering, which is a national campaign celebrating the world and wonder of engineering (HM Government 2017). Over the course of 2018, the campaign wants to shake-up people’s ideas about engineering, inspiring the next generation of innovators, inventors and problem solvers by showing them what engineers do.

This report considers the electrical and electronics subsector within the More Developed Area (MDA) of York and North Yorkshire. The subsector accounts for 8% of the engineering sector workplaces across the LEP.

In this report Beyond 2030 sets out the skills and productivity of the area as a whole, as well as at Local Authority level to provide context, before considering the subsector in further detail.

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1.2 York and North Yorkshire MDA

North Yorkshire covers an area of 8,654 square kilometres (3,341 sq. mi), making it the largest county in England. Much of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors lie within North Yorkshire's boundaries, and around 40% of the county is covered by National Parks.

York and North Yorkshire is divided into eight Local Authorities: Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby and the City of York.

In 2016, it had a resident population of 813,300, which equated to 71% of the LEP’s resident population (ONS 2017). Over 411,000 individuals are employed in the area. Employment rates stand at 80.7% for North Yorkshire and 77.5% in York compared to LEP average of 78.8% (Table 1).

Using the YNYER LEP as the standard, the various differences in the productivity, skills and employment across North Yorkshire and York can be seen. Table 1 highlights where the area performs better (green) or worse (red). Self-employment in North Yorkshire, for example, stands at 13.9% - greater than within York, the LEP as a whole and the English average. However, the proportion of individuals qualified to level 4 or above is lower and the proportion with no qualifications is higher in North Yorkshire.

Table 1 Productivity, skills and jobs:

Measure North Yorkshire

York YNYER LEP

England

Gross Weekly pay full time (£) (place of residence, 2016) £489.10 £509.60 £504.70 £544.70

Job density (the ratio of total jobs to population aged 16-64, 2015) 0.96 0.85 0.86 0.84

Employment Rate (Apr 2016-Mar 2017) 80.7% 77.5% 78.8% 75.6%Self-Employment (Apr 2016-Mar 2017) 13.9% 9.7% 12.0% 10.9%Full-time workers 63.1% 62.7 63.8% 69.1%Unemployment Rate (Apr 2016-Mar 2017) 2.9% 3.0% 3.2% 4.4%Economically Inactive (Apr 2016-Mar 2017) 16.8% 20.0% 18.5% 20.9%Level 4+ (Jan 2016-Dec 2016) 35.9% 42.7% 37.5% 37.9%No Qualifications (Jan 2016-Dec 2016) 6.5% 6.1% 6.3% 7.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics: LEP and National Labour Market Profiles; GVA for Local Enterprise Partnerships

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1.3 Local Authorities

Looking in more detail at Local Authority level, variations in the employment rate are obvious: Craven, Harrogate and Scarborough have the highest rate at 83%, while Richmondshire has the lowest at 75%. Worth noting is that the employment rate in seven of the Local Authorities is greater than the national average (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Employment rate across the LEP and North Yorkshire Local authorities (Apr 2016-Mar 2017)

Craven

Harrogate

Scarborough

Selby

Hambleton

Ryedale

York

Richmondsh

ire

YNYER LEP

England70%

72%

74%

76%

78%

80%

82%

84% 83% 83% 83%

80%

79% 79%78%

75%

79%

76%

Source (ONS 2017)

Using the YNYER LEP area as the standard, additional variations in the job, skills and productivity levels of each of the local authorities are highlighted in the table below. Where the area performs better, these have been highlighted in green with relatively poor performance being highlighted in red in Table 2. In summary:

Four Local Authorities have a lower weekly wage than the LEP average (Craven, Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough).

In three Local Authorities (Craven, Harrogate, and Ryedale) the job density is above one - meaning that there is more than one job for every resident aged 16-64.

Self-employment is particularly high in Harrogate and Scarborough. The proportion of full-time workers is low in Scarborough. The proportion of workers with a level four qualification ranges from 23.4% in Hambleton to

50.3% in Craven.

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Where the local authority area performs better than the YNYER average this has been highlighted in green, or worse, in red in the table below.

Table 2 Productivity, skills and jobs by local authorities in York and North Yorkshire MDA

Craven Hambleton Harrogate Richmondshire Ryedale Scarborough Selby York YNYER LEP

England

Gross Weekly pay full time (£) (place of residence, 2016) £413.10 £496.80 £535.50 £507.20 £443.10 £460.30 £549.40 £509.60 £504.70 £544.70

Job density (the ratio of total jobs to population aged 16-64, 2015)

1.16 0.98 1.06 0.80 1.02 0.93 0.73 0.85 0.86 0.84

Employment Rate (Apr 2016-Mar 2017) 83.0% 78.6% 82.7% 74.7% 78.6% 82.6% 80.3% 77.5% 78.8% 75.6%

Self-Employment (Apr 2016-Mar 2017) * 12.0% 16.9% * 12.9% 19.1% * 9.7% 12.0% 10.9%

Full-time workers 60.0% 65.0% 61.5% 62.5% 69.6% 58.5% 68.6% 62.7 63.8% 69.1%Unemployment Rate (Apr 2016-Mar 2017) 3.0% 3.1% 3.3% 3.4% 3.5% 3.5% 3.8% 3.0% 3.2% 4.4%

Economically Inactive (Apr 2016-Mar 2017) 15.6% 18.2% 14.4% 25.3% 19.3% 15.0% 16.0% 20.0% 18.5% 20.9%

Level 4+ (Jan 2016-Dec 2016) 50.3% 23.4% 42.8% 25.3% 36.8% 37.7% 31.1% 42.7% 37.5% 37.9%No qualifications (Jan 2016-Dec 2016) * 9.1% * * * 7.4% 8.9% 6.1% 6.3% 7.8%

Source (ONS 2017) * data not available, sample too small

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2 Electrical and electronics engineering, North Yorkshire

2.1 Introduction

Electrical engineering is a profession of engineering that deals with the study of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism (UNESCO 2010).

The field first became prevalent in the latter half of the 19th century after commercialisation of the electric telegraph, the telephone and electric power distribution and use. Subsequently, broadcasting and recording media have made electronics part of daily life.

Electrical engineering can be divided into a range of fields including electronics, digital computers, computer engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, control systems, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing and microelectronics.

2.1.1 Subsector definition

Within the wider engineering sector, EngineeringUK have identified key subsectors, one being electrical and electronic (EngineeringUK 2017). For the following report, Beyond 2030 has used the same Standard Industrial Classification (SIC definition). These are set out in the Annex.

2.1.2 Engineering in York and North Yorkshire

Engineering is recognised as a priority area across the LEP (York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP 2014). Sectors which rely heavily on engineering skills are also considered important in many of the local district plans. North Yorkshire County Council, for example, highlights digital as a future growth sector in emerging industries and also as an enabling sector in its plan to deliver economic growth (North Yorkshire CC 2017). Agri-tech and biorenewables are also seen as emerging industries with growth potential.

There is also set to be unprecedented investment on the Yorkshire Coastline (East Riding of Yorkshire Council, et al. 2016) which will require engineering skills. For example:

The Potash Mine project will develop a new high tech mine in Scarborough Borough which will also have opportunities for the supply chain. It is anticipated to create 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Dogger Bank and Hornsea Wind Farms off the Yorkshire coast will provide over half of the UK Offshore power generation. These developments provide the opportunity for land-based activities to support the offshore operations.

Scarborough Borough’s strategy for delivering new jobs and skills is targeting specific growth sectors, including manufacturing and engineering, offshore wind and renewables and construction (Scarborough Borough 2016). In addition, Ryedale’s Economic Action Plan objectives mirror the LEP’s objectives to ensure that their actions are joined up. This includes being a global leader in food, manufacturing, agri-tech and biorenewables (Ryedale District Council 2016).

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2.2 Electrical and Electronics engineering economy and employment

Across York and North Yorkshire there are 670 businesses working in electrical and electronics engineering.

The majority of businesses in the subsector are involved in the field of electrical installation. This includes the installation of electrical systems in all sorts of buildings and civil engineering structure, such as (ONS 2009):

electrical wiring and fittings. telecommunications wiring. computer network and cable television wiring, including fibre optic. satellite dishes. lighting systems. fire alarms. burglar alarm systems. street lighting and electrical signals. airport runway lighting. electric solar energy collectors.

One in ten firms are involved in the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products; 7% in the manufacture of electrical equipment and the remaining 4% in the repair of such equipment.

The majority (87%) businesses employ less than 10 individuals, 12% employ between 10 and 49 individuals and 2% between 50 and 249. There are no firms employing more than 250.

Figure 2 Electrical and electronic workplace industries, MDA

10%

7%

4%

79%

Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products

Manufacture of electrical equipment

Repair of electrical, electronic and optical equipment and consumer equipment

Electrical Installation

Source (ONS 2017)

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Examples of firms in the area include:

Legrand Electric Ltd https://www.legrand.co.uk/ Minster Plumbing and Heating http://www.minster-plumbing.co.uk/ PHS Electrical Engineering http://www.phselectrical.co.uk/ Robinsons M A E Limited https://www.robinsonsmea.com/ SG Technical Systems Ltd http://www.sgtechsys.com/ H.C Engineering Ltd http://www.hcengineering.co.uk/ S & B Utilities Ltd http://sb-utilities.com/ IWE Services Ltd https://www.iweservices.co.uk/ Opensoft http://www.opensoftsystems.co.uk/

Employment stands at nearly 5,000 across these electrical and electronic engineering firms (ONS 2017).

53% or 2,700 individuals are employed in electrical installation. 31% or 1,550 in the manufacture of electrical equipment. 11% or 545 in the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products. Just 6% of the workforce work in the repair of electrical, electronic and optical equipment

and consumer equipment.

The greatest subsector employment is found within the Harrogate and Selby districts, both accounting for 23% of the workforce. 19% of the workforce are within York and a further 15% are employed in Scarborough district.

Figure 3 Distribution of electrical and electronic engineering businesses and employment in North Yorkshire

Harrogate

SelbyYork

Scarborough

Hambleton

Ryedale

Richmondsh

ireCrave

n0

20406080

100120140160

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Businesses Employment

Busin

esse

s

Empl

oym

ent

Source (ONS 2017) & (ONS 2017)

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http://www.opensoftsystems.co.uk/

https://www.iweservices.co.uk/

http://sb-utilities.com/

http://www.hcengineering.co.uk/

http://www.sgtechsys.com/

https://www.robinsonsmea.com/

http://www.phselectrical.co.uk/

http://www.minster-plumbing.co.uk/

https://www.legrand.co.uk/


2.2.1 Jobs people do

Engineering workplaces includes both engineering jobs but also none engineering roles. Therefore, when considering the occupational groups of those employed in the subsector in Yorkshire and Humber and UK level, it is evident that individuals are employed across a range of positions, not just engineering positions (Table 3).

The greatest difference in the proportion of employment for the subsector compared to the all economy occurs in skilled trades. This occupational group accounts for a 37% of the workforce compared to 11% in the all economy. Key job roles in this group include:

Electricians and electrical fitters. Telecommunications engineers. Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified). TV, video and audio engineers.

The subsector also has a substantial proportion of professional roles (21%), which includes roles such as:

Design and development engineers. Programmers and software development professionals. IT specialist managers.

Table 3 Occupational groups

Electrical engineering (Y&H)

Electrical engineering (UK)

All economy (Y&H)

Managers, Directors and Senior Officials 9% 11% 11%Professional Occupations 21% 17% 20%Associate Professional and Technical Occupations

17% 15% 14%

Administrative and Secretarial Occupations

5% 7% 10%

Skilled Trades Occupations 37% 34% 11%Personal care services 2% 0% 9%Sales and Customer Service Occupations 3% 3% 8%Process, Plant and Machine Operatives 5% 7% 6%Elementary Occupations 9% 5% 10%

Source (Office for National Statistics; Social Survey Division; Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. 2017)

The job roles which have the greatest number employed in the subsector across Yorkshire and Humber are shown below.

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Table 4 Top five jobs roles in electrical and electronic engineering subsector, Yorkshire and Humber

Occupation Number employed 5241 'Electricians and electrical fitters' 9,8002126 'Design and development engineers' 5,0003545 'Sales accounts and business development managers'

2,700

3422 'Product, clothing and related designers' 2,5005242 'Telecommunications engineers' 2,400

Source (Office for National Statistics; Social Survey Division; Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. 2017) * not elsewhere classified

2.2.1.1 Workforce characteristicsThe subsector has few women working in it, with just 11% of the Yorkshire and Humber electrical and electronics workforce being female. There are variations across the industries, with the manufacture of computer and electronic components more likely to employ females: with 27% of the workforce in this industry female, while in electrical installation less than 1% are female.

Young people are underrepresented in the subsector compared to the economy as a whole. Only 7% are aged under 25. This compares to 13% in the whole economy of Yorkshire and Humber. However, the age groups 25 to 34 and 45 to 54 have a much greater proportion of workers compared to the all economy (Figure 4).

Where the roles are more technical, the longer learning pipelines involved in the acquisition of the detailed skills might be one cause of low levels of young people in the subsector.

With an ageing workforce and a poor pipeline of young people, the subsector could face significant challenges in filling vacancies moving forward.

Figure 4 Age profile of the electrical and electronic subsector, Yorkshire and Humber

Under 25 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65+0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Electrical engineering All economy


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2.3 Skills needs – Primary research testing the data

2.3.1 Recruitment and retention

Firms are recruiting for a range of positions within the electrical and electronic subsector. For example:

Robinsons MEA had positions for:o Electrician. o Air conditioning engineer.o Domestic gas service engineer.

S & B Utilities Limited were seeking an electrical supervisor/foreman. Technowash had a position available for a senior electrical engineer. Mott MacDonald were seeking individuals for:

o Protection and control engineer. o Technician / Senior technician.

Steven J Dresser Electrical Contractors Ltd were seeking a qualified electrician. Severfield sought a site engineer and also graduate design engineers. Lightnation Ltd had a position for a qualified electrician. Hain Daniels Group (Yorkshire Provender) were seeking an engineering supervisor.

Further electrical engineering recruitment opportunities are advertised in firms outside of the subsector. For example:

Oeco Garden Rooms are seeking an approved electrician. The job will involve travelling the country testing and certifying the electrical works on the firms’ garden rooms.

Lightwater Valley Theme Park were seeking a maintenance electrician.

When it comes to recruiting, one micro firm Beyond 2030 spoke with, reported that while applicants (electricians) hold the appropriate qualifications, many are lacking practical experience.

A further firm highlighted the lack of diversity in recruiting. They have a shortage of engineers, but the recruitment pool consists mainly of male applicants. They believed that there is a lack of encouragement for females to move into an engineering career.

A number of engineering occupations do appear in the United Kingdom Shortage Occupation List (Home Office 2018), indicating that nationally there are difficulties recruiting for these. Roles relating to this subsector are shown below. However, no firm Beyond 2030 spoke with specifically mentioned these roles. However, with future developments at Dogger Bank and Hornsea Wind Farms for offshore power generation, the subsector could face challenges with recruitment of electrical engineers.

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Table 5 Shortage occupational list

Occupation (SOC) Job titles2123 Electrical engineers The following jobs in the electricity transmission and

distribution industry: power system engineer control engineer protection engineer

The following jobs in the aerospace industry: electrical machine design engineer power electronics engineer

2124 Electronics Engineers The following jobs in the railway industry: signalling design manager signalling design engineer signalling principles designer senior signalling design checker signalling design checker signalling systems engineer Specialist electronics engineer in the automotive

manufacturing and design industry2126 Design and development engineers

The following jobs in the electronics system industry: integrated circuit design engineer integrated circuit test engineer

2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified

The following jobs in the electricity transmission and distribution industry: project engineer proposals engineer

Source (Home Office 2018)

2.3.2 What are the current skills needs and skills gaps?

2.3.2.1 Skills levels Electrical engineers typically hold a degree in electrical engineering or electronic engineering. Practicing engineers may have professional certification and be members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

This is reflected in the qualification profile, where nearly half (45%) of the subsector workforce in Yorkshire and Humber hold a level 4 or above compared to 38% in the whole economy. Just 13% of the subsector do not hold a level 2 qualification.

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Figure 5 Qualifications levels of civil engineering subsector

NQ

F Le

vel 4

a...

NQ

F Le

vel 3

Trad

e ap

pren

ti...

NQ

F Le

vel 2

Belo

w N

QF

Lev.

..

Oth

er q

ualifi

ca...

No

qual

ifica

tions

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Electrical engineering in Y&H Electrical engineering UK All economy Y&H


2.3.2.2 Skills needs / required Electrical engineers work in a very wide range of industries and the skills required are likewise variable. These range from basic circuit theory to the management skills required of a project manager. The tools and equipment that an individual engineer may need are similarly variable, ranging from a simple voltmeter to a top end analyser to sophisticated design and manufacturing software.

From our primary work Beyond 2030 suggests that the following skills are particularly needed and valued by employers:

Engineers educated to degree/HNC level. CSCS / ECS cards. Electrically qualified to latest 17th edition. Experience of PLC (programmable logic controller) software (Siemens, Omron, Rockwell). Ability to use own initiative. Health and safety training/knowledge. Driving licence.

2.3.3 Training

As a high compliance sector, employers/contractors are obliged to ensure that their staff hold/undertake the relevant training and development that ensures the safety of the work environment. These are often around core areas such as; health and safety, ensuring compliance with legislation.

Our primary research found similar findings in this area. A key area of training for employers in the subsector was health and safety.

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A large firm Beyond 2030 spoke with, reported that due to the national recognition of a shortage of engineers, the sector is good at undertaking skills development: there is a need to develop workers they have as recruitment is difficult. Specific training, they undertake revolves around health and safety to support installation and service engineers working in various market sectors which have high demands on industry specific training requirements.

Cost and time were the main drag factors on engaging non- mandatory training. In a robustly regulated sector, non-mandatory training is often seen in second place in terms of employer imperative.

Identification of the appropriate training can be easily recognised by the individuals holding special identification cards. For example, the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) accredits the qualifications and experience of workers in the electrotechnical industry. It is the sole ID and competence card scheme for electrotechnical operatives in the UK and it's recognised and endorsed by the industry (ECS 2018).

Holding an ECS card proves your qualification status, main electrical occupation, identity, your health and safety awareness, as well as any additional disciplines in which you are skilled to work.

The ECS is a partner of CSCS and covers not just core electrotechnical occupations, but specialised industries such as building controls, data communications, highway electrical and fire & security.

2.4 Apprenticeships

There are number of apprenticeship standards available relevant to the subsector (Institute for Apprenticeships 2017). These include:

Electrical / electronic technical support engineer (degree) Level 6. Embedded electronic systems design and development engineer (degree) Level 6. Electrical Power Networks Engineer [previously Power Networks Engineer] Level 4. Electrical power protection and plant commissioning engineer Level 4. Electrical, Electronic Product Service and Installation Engineer Level 3. Highway electrical maintenance and installation operative Level 2. Highways electrician / service operative Level 3. Installation electrician / maintenance electrician Level 3. Fire emergency and security systems technician Level 3.

In our primary work Beyond 2030 found general support for the principle of Apprenticeship. One small firm we spoke had run an apprentice training programme for more than fifteen years. Although they reported difficulties in finding young apprentice – they generally had older individuals who then do not qualify for certain funding.

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However, with the majority (87%) businesses employing less than 10 individuals, micro firms report challenges relating to a lack of time, cost and finding interested candidates.

2.5 Future requirements

2.5.1 Sector growth

Future workforce projections for the subsector1 are available at the wider region of Yorkshire and Humber rather than the North Yorkshire area but this still provides a useful indication of changes in the workforce moving forward.

Employment in the Yorkshire and Humber electrical and electronics subsector is expected to decrease by 1.0% between 2014 and 2024. This contrasts with the region’s all sector economy where growth of 3.9% is anticipated (UKCES 2016).

Small increases in employment will be seen across the higher occupational groups of managers, professional and associate professional and technical roles but there will be small decreases in skilled trades and transport and machine operatives numbers (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Electrical and electronics subsector occupational change, 2014 -2024 (000s), Yorkshire and Humber

1 Working Futures SIC 26, Computer and SIC 27 Electrical equipment

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Mowden Controls Limited

Mowden is a Contract Electronic Manufacturer, based in Northallerton. They have apprenticeship opportunities for:

Electrical & Electronics Engineering degree apprenticeship opportunity. Electrical & Electronics Engineering HNC apprenticeship program

Both opportunities will require the successful candidates to attend Teesside University to complete a BEng (Hons)/ HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering on a 1-day per week release basis.

http://www.mowden.co.uk/job-vacancies/

http://www.mowden.co.uk/job-vacancies/


Elementary Occupations

Transport and Machine Operatives

Sales and Customer Service Occupations

Personal Service Occupations

Skilled Trades Occupations

Administrative, Clerical and Secretarial Occupations

Associate Professional and Technical Occupations

Professional Occupations

Managers and Senior Officials

-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3

Source: UKCES Working Futures VI

2.5.2 Replacement need and total demand

Overall the subsector in Yorkshire and Humber is expected to have approximately 5,000 job openings between 2014 and 2024: but to note is that 6,000 will be replacement demand (there is a net decrease in employment numbers expected)

20% of all job openings will be within skilled trades occupations and a further 19% in both managerial and technical roles (Figure 7). Professional occupations will account for a further 18% of all job openings.

Figure 7 Job openings in electrical and electronics subsector by occupation 2014 - 2024 (000s) in Y&H

Man

ager

s and

Sen

ior O

fficia

ls

Prof

essio

nal O

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2.5.3 Qualifications

The change in qualification levels of the workforce shows that there will be a shift towards more people holding higher qualifications (Table 6).

By 2024, 47% of people employed in the electronics and electrical subsector are expected to be qualified at level 4 and above (in line with the Yorkshire and Humber region all sector proportion of 47%), whilst the proportion of people with no formal qualifications or level 1 is expected to fall to 12%.

Table 6 Change in qualification profile of the electrical and electronics subsector, Yorkshire and Humber

No qualifications and level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 – 6 Level 7 – 8

Qualification example

GSCE (grades D – G)BTEC level 1

GCSE (grades A* - C) NVQ Level 2

AS & A level BTEC National

Certificate of higher education (L4)Foundation degree (L5)Bachelor’s degree (L6)

Master’s degree (L7)Doctorate (L8)

2014 level 2024 level

3,0281,841

3,2452,832

4,0823,423

4,2826,214

720965

2014 – 2024 % change -39% -13% -16% 45% 34%2014 % share 20% 21% 27% 28% 5%2024 % share 12% 19% 22% 41% 6%


2.5.4 Future roles and skills

The above Working Future projections demonstrate that there will be increase in employment across the subsector. This workforce will become more highly skilled and with fewer low skilled roles.

Electronics are common place in our society. Companies use computers, laptops, telephones while in the health services machines like X-rays, MRSs and other electronic devices are used to detect diseases. But technology continues to change as electronic engineers strive to make further improvements, for an example it is possible to consider how mobile phone technology or even computers have changed in the last ten years. Improvement in such products will continue.

Drax power station, a large single site electricity generator in North Yorkshire requires electrical engineers. They manage how power is connected to the high-voltage electricity transmission grid, and how the giant electrical machines generating the energy work. In addition, the power station has upgraded to the latest biomass technology. Converting a power station built on one fuel to run on another takes highly skilled engineers. With a site as large and complex as Drax, there will always be new engineering challenges that require inventive thinking. Furthermore, the off-show wind projects in the area will also provide opportunities for electrical engineers.

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Employers have not necessarily identified any new roles developing in the next 6 years; rather they expect to be recruiting for the same sorts of positions as currently exist. However, they have identified a number of challenges which are a risk to their business.

2.6 Drivers of change

2.6.1 Political

Leaving the European Union

Plans to leave the EU, following the UK European Union membership referendum in June 2016, has left the engineering sector facing an uncertain future.

The effect on inward migration particularly from EU countries could affect the sector’s ability to recruit and retain skilled staff and is by far the biggest issue employers have raised with us.

When the future regarding leaving the EU is clearer, companies will feel in a better position to make investment decisions. However, it is worth noting that the majority of firms are small and so the impact of the referendum is not being felt at these macro levels relating to investment decisions, however skills shortages is a very big issue and will be a real challenge for future policy makers.

Government Policy

2018 is the year of engineering (DoE, et al. 2018). Ministers from across government are joining forces with engineers, industry experts and hundreds of businesses to change perceptions around engineering – and highlight the scale of opportunity that careers in the industry hold for young people in the UK.

Legislation / Regulations

Regulation and Governance issues are of particular significance in this subsector. Businesses and operators need achieve electrical safety compliances.

Employers are not expecting there to be significant new legislation in the next few years, rather they are anticipating many current standards to move from EU legislation into UK law.

2.6.2 Social

Perception

There is widespread misunderstanding of engineering among young people and their parents. But encouragingly young people’s perception in engineering has become more positive in the last 5 years. The proportion of 11-16-year olds who would consider a career in engineering has risen from 40% in 2012 to 51% in 2016 (EngineeringUK 2017). However, too few young people are deciding to continue to study STEM subjects that keep the doors open to engineering careers limiting the number who ultimately will be able to enter highly-skilled engineering careers.

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Effective careers education and interventions during school are vital to develop more informed careers thinking. The engineering sector is taking strides in increasing awareness of STEM subjects and campaigns such as the ‘Year of Engineering’ will help.

2.6.3 Technological

Electrical technology is transforming our world, changing the way we work and play. Engineering advances are impacting development in healthcare, while electrical engineering will provide the technical solutions for climate change via the research and development of renewables, energy storage systems and clean technology.

The growing role for digital technology in design, process control and production and the implementation of big data, cyber-physical systems, the internet of things, cloud computing represents a significant opportunity for engineering firm to evolve and compete in the future.

The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) reports that 78% of businesses believe that digital technologies and automation in the sector will advance rapidly in the next ten years (IET 2017).

2.6.4 Environmental

Engineers of the future will focus on leading efforts to reduce pollution, first by reducing material flows and then by creating critical knowledge and skill sets to redesign technologies, processes, infrastructure and systems to be both efficient, productive and effective.

The challenge for engineers of the future is to understand the science, engineering and design issues vital to a comprehensive understanding of how economies make the transition to a low emissions future.

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3 Annex

3.1 Electrical and electronics

SIC code26.11

Manufacture of electronic components

26.12

Manufacture of loaded electronic boards

26.20

Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment

26.30

Manufacture of communication equipment

26.40

Manufacture of consumer electronics

26.51

Manufacture of instruments and appliances for measuring, testing and navigation

26.52

Manufacture of watches and clocks

26.60

Manufacture of irradiation, electromedical and electrotherapeutic equipment

26.70

Manufacture of optical instruments and photographic equipment

26.80

Manufacture of magnetic and optical media

27.11

Manufacture of electric motors, generators and transformers

27.12

Manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus

27.20

Manufacture of batteries and accumulators

27.31

Manufacture of fibre optic cables

27.32

Manufacture of other electronic and electric wires and cables

27.33

Manufacture of wiring devices

27.40

Manufacture of electric lighting equipment

27.51

Manufacture of electric domestic appliances

27.52

Manufacture of non-electric domestic appliances

27.90

Manufacture of other electrical equipment

33.13

Repair of electronic and optical equipment

33.14

Repair of electrical equipment

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43.21

Electrical installation

95.21

Repair of consumer electronics

Source (ONS 2009)

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4 Bibliography

DoE, DfT, C Grayling, and A Milton. 2018. Engineering in the spotlight for 2018 as government launches campaign to inspire the next generation. 15 Janaury. Accessed January 19, 2018. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/engineering-in-the-spotlight-for-2018-as-government-launches-campaign-to-inspire-the-next-generation.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, North Yorkshire County Council, York, North Yorkshire & East Riding LEP, and Borough of Scarborough. 2016. “Yorkshire Coast Growth Plan.”

ECS. 2018. Certify your skills with ECS. Accessed January 2018. https://www.ecscard.org.uk/.

—. 2017. Electrotechnical cerification scheme. Accessed November 2017. https://www.ecscard.org.uk.

EngineeringUK. 2017. Engineering UK 2017. The State of engineering. EngineeringUK. https://www.engineeringuk.com/media/1350/EngineeringUK-Report-2017-Annex.pdf.

Home Office. 2018. Immigration Rules Appendix K: shortage occupation list. 15 January. Accessed January 2018. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-k-shortage-occupation-list.

IET. 2017. 2017 IET skills survey. Accessed January 2018. https://www.theiet.org/factfiles/education/skills2017-page.cfm?

Institute for Apprenticeships. 2017. Apprenticeship standards. Accessed September 2017. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/apprenticeship-standards#contents.

North Yorkshire CC. 2017. A plan to deliver economic growth 2017. North Yorkshire County Council. https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/sites/default/files/fileroot/About%20the%20council/Strategies,%20plans%20and%20policies/A%20Plan%20for%20Economic%20Growth%202017.pdf.

Office for National Statistics; Social Survey Division; Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. 2017. Quarterly Labour Force Survey, April - June, 2017. UK Data Service. SN: 8235. doi:http://doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-8235-1.

ONS. 2017. “Business Register and Employment Survey : open access 2016.” Accessed November 2017. https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/construct/summary.asp?menuopt=200&subcomp=.

—. 2017. Nomis Labour Market Profile - York, North Yorkshire And East Riding. Accessed September 2017. https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/lep/1925185568/report.aspx.

—. 2017. “UK Business Counts - local units by industry and employment size band 2017.” Accessed November 2017. https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/construct/summary.asp?menuopt=200&subcomp=.

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ONS. 2009. UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007): Structure and explanatory notes. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Ryedale District Council. 2016. Ryedale Economic Action Plan 2016-2020. Ryedale District Council.

Scarborough Borough. 2016. Towards 2030: An Era of Opportunity. An Employment & Skills Plan for Scarborough Borough. Scarborough Borough.

UKCES. 2016. Working Futures: 2014 to 2022. London: UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

UNESCO. 2010. Engineering: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP. 2014. Strategic Economic Plan. York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership.

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Documents

Skills Support for the Workforce - Executive Summaryssw.fundingunit.org.uk/.../09/FNR_MDA_Eng_EE.100918.docx · Web viewBy 2024, 47% of people employed in the electronics and electrical