Monday 26 March 2012

450,000 skilled technicians needed by 2020, says National Grid leader

Britain will need 450,000 highly skilled technicians by 2020 to boost the economy, according to a new government report.

The Technician Council, which carried out an 18-month long review, is launching a new initiative today to encourage recruitment in the science and technology fields. With the demand of technicians increasing, the review states there is an alarming gap in the market for technicians in Britain.

Steve Holliday, CEO of National Grid and chairman of the Technician Council said this occupation is "not broadly understood by society" and hopes the new initiative will inspire a new generation to pursue their careers in technical fields.

Mr Holliday said: "The problem we have today is that these individuals lack status and [the job is] very much not understood by children. We have a plan - eight actions that will create, develop and deliver a new framework for technicians to upskill those in work today and more importantly, to inspire a new generation to come into what is a fantastically interesting and well rewarded job."

The scheme has up to 50 organisations pledging to back it, Halliday told BBC 5 live.