Skills and Education objectives

Because of the obvious overlap between our agendas, the Skills & Education Workstream will be working in collaboration with the other workstreams. For example there have already been joint meetings between Supply Chain and Skills & Education. Our objectives reflect these interactions and shared priorities, as the list below shows.

Short term (end of June 2006)

1. Develop Electronics in Schools Strategy (EISS) programme as the hub of a holistic electronics education strategy to achieve:
   1. increased industry support and schools/education coverage; and
   2. expansion of regional teacher training.
   
   
2. Build on DTI/SEMTA audit of electronics training provision to:
   1. produce findings by the end of March 2006, and conduct a follow-up analysis by June 2006; and
   2. implement required changes via ELC, SEMTA/eSSG and new Manufacturing Skills Academy.
   
   
3. Develop the Virtual Learning Centre of Excellence (VLCE), based on findings from the pilot programme, to provide innovative e-learning solutions for UK industry.

Medium term (end of December 2006)

1. Establish new Manufacturing Skills Academy inclusive of electronics.
2. Work with schools and colleges to reform the education system so that it better fulfils electronics industry needs.
3. Improve signposting of recognised training provision (management, technical development, supply chain) and deliver more valuable information, advice and guidance (IAG) to learners.
4. Increase uptake of management and leadership training.

Long term (end of December 2007)

1. Ensure the secondary school curriculum is strong in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
2. Establish a fit-for-purpose 14–19 engineering diploma that is recognised as a valuable asset to the industry.