Sharp drop in engineering students

A sharp drop in the number of engineering students could affect a Government target to boost the number of engineering apprenticeships. The findings are detailed in Engineering 2007, an annual review of the engineering and technology labour market by the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB). It says there has been a 26% decline in the number of learners taking Further Education engineering courses, including apprenticeships, over the last three years. At the same time, there will be a 16% decline in the number of 16 year olds by 2018 – which may affect the Government’s target of a 60% increase in apprenticeships by 2010/11. John Morton, chief executive of the ETB, said: “Many more apprenticeship places need to be made available for the over 25s to combat the 16% decline in school-leavers by 2018.” The report was launched at the House of Commons at an event introduced by MP Claire Curtis-Thomas (pictured).