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ELC Announces Publication of its 2006 Report: Shaping The Future Of UK Electronics

ELC ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF ITS 2006 REPORT: “SHAPING THE FUTURE OF UK ELECTRONICS”

Marking the completion of its first year in operation, the Electronics Leadership Council (ELC) today published its 2006 annual report, outlining its achievements to date and its vision for the development of the UK electronics industry

Formed in October 2005, the ELC is charged with providing focused and high-profile leadership for the UK electronics sector. Under the chairmanship of Harry Tee the ELC’s members reflect the full breadth and diversity of UK electronics, including senior representatives of leading electronics companies, electronics industry representative bodies, and government. The report published today sets out the many challenges that the ELC has addressed in its first year, and documents the work and achievements of its four major work streams established to reflect the most critical areas for the development of the UK electronics industry: Technology, Skills, Supply Chain and Public Procurement.

Commenting on the publication of ‘Shaping the future of UK electronics’ ELC chairman, Harry Tee, said: “The report demonstrates that UK electronics has a potentially very bright future, but it is crucial that we take advantage of all of the opportunities that are being presented. A key area for action is in the development of the skills that will enable our industry to prosper in the future and I think it is important, for example, that companies support the SETNET Ambassadors scheme through which young engineers go into schools to talk to students. All young people know about MP3/4 players, games consoles and mobile phones but few have any idea how they function. Technology of this sort can excite young people if presented in an interesting and enthusiastic manner by someone that they can relate to, and a career in electronics will thus appear as a highly relevant and exciting choice. With off-shoring likely to continue for many years as global markets push down prices on products that are becoming increasingly commoditised, our ability to develop new skills and attract the best talent has never been more important. In the future UK companies must succeed by developing and exploiting Intellectual Property rather than competing on production costs. The labour market of the future is therefore likely to be very different to that of the past and will be crucial for the long term success of UK electronics.”

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Click here for a PDF version of “SHAPING THE FUTURE OF UK ELECTRONICS” (PDF755KB)

Date added: 19 February 2007