A new alliance of engineering and manufacturing firms has been established in Scotland with the aim of averting the “looming economic disaster”.
The Enginuity Alliance was launched at a meeting at the University of Strathclyde, bringing together interested parties from across the sector. The alliance will share best practices, generate discussion and produce hugely enhanced leverage to influence policymakers on both sides of the borders.
In a statement, the Enginuity Alliance said that business leaders, educators and government representatives had been told that more than £230 billion was at stake over the next decade. Therefore, the alliance also aims to capture an “Industrial Revolution-sized opportunity” worth hundreds of billions of pounds to the Scottish economy.
“Collaboration is key, working together, businesses large and small, particularly in the SME community. This will have a real-world impact. The consequences of getting it right will be an improvement in growth, productivity and prosperity for all,” said Sir Jim McDonald (pictured), Chair of Enginuity.
However, he also warned that the lack of available skills in the workforce will be one of the biggest drags on the UK economy in the future.
Paul Sheerin, Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering, added that billions of pounds were at risk if the sector couldn’t supply the skilled people to service the needs of infrastructure projects.
Currently, the Scottish economy is facing severe economic impact due to the skills crisis and urged instant remedial action, according to a Scottish Engineering skills gap report.
“If we don’t get this right, not only could we lose out on the manufacturing opportunity, but we risk serious reputational damage in terms of Scotland as a place to invest and do business,” said Sheerin.
