Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing, is an employer-led organisation responsible for equipping the UK’s vital industries with theb skills to compete on the global stage. Representing 13,800 companies with a 1.66 million- strong workforce which generates annual revenues of £309bn for the UK economy, Semta provided the following statistics for Advanced Manufacturing within Northern Ireland.
Its research showed:
There are 37,000 people employed across 2,800 establishments
Managers, professionals and technicians (higher- level occupations) account for 40% of the workforce.
7% of the workforce are aged 60-plus.
It is estimated that around 2,500 people (500 per year) will need to be recruited into the advanced manufacturing sector over the next five years to account for retirements.
20% of manufacturing employers had vacancies
6% of manufacturing employers had skills shortage vacancies
16% of manufacturing employers had skills gaps, particularly around technical/practical skills.
Skills gaps in manufacturing occupations were most likely to be found in Skilled Trades/Craft occupations.
Key drivers for upskilling included: new legislative or regulatory requirements, the introduction of new technologies or equipment, the development of new products and services and the introduction of new working practices.
58% of manufacturing employers provided training for their employees.
Nearly half of the total manufacturing workforce received some training.
On average, 4.9 training days were provided per trainee in manufacturing (2.4 per employee).