The Engineering Council welcomes today's launch of the professional technician by the Technician Council. Chaired by Steve Holliday, CEO of National Grid, the Technician Council has been funded by government to make recommendations on the future of the UK’s technicians in engineering, science and technology. Oliver Letwin MP, Minister for Government Policy Advice, and John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, spoke in support of the Technician Council’s work at the launch, at which Steve Holliday unveiled a set of recommendations to employers, Sector Skills Councils, professional bodies and Government.

The launch today is the result of an 18 month project, during which the Technician Council has reviewed the gaps and shortages in technical skills provision in the UK, set out the findings, presented a workable solution and developed the set of recommendations for addressing these over time. 

The recommendations set out how stakeholders can strengthen the infrastructure underpinning the registration and professional development of technicians, how to provide active support for this, and highlight how to increase the pool, status, transferability and diversity of professional technicians across all sectors of industry.

Engineering Council CEO Jon Prichard says: “We see this launch as an ideal opportunity to raise the profile of the 14,000 professional technicians already registered with us as Engineering Technician (EngTech) or ICT Technician (ICTTech), highlighting the value that they add to the UK economy.  It also allows us to promote professional registration as a tool for fostering employee development to a much wider audience.

“The UK has a rich engineering heritage which undoubtedly provides a foundation for future prosperity. Ensuring that we have sufficient well motivated professional technicians to be able to exploit this opportunity is an essential activity that the Engineering Council is delighted to be a part of.”

The Technician Council was formed in July 2010 following two influential government White Papers examining the national skills strategy for future growth, which highlighted the economic need for the UK to recognise and develop a modern class of technician.  This launch is a key milestone in the journey to delivering economic growth through a commitment to skills development.

The full press release announcing the launch can be found at:http://www.professional-technician.org.uk/news.php