The lack of recruits at every level consistently tops the list of concerns for manufacturing, engineering and technology businesses both in the South and nationally.
The next meeting of METALL - the Manufacturing Engineering Technology Alliance (METALL #10) - seeks to find some practical solutions to this long-term problem which hinders business growth and risks succession.
By bringing businesses and education professionals together, METALL #10 will look at practical ways they can all work together to help influence local change in schools and help our educators understand the great career opportunities that pursuing STEM subjects can lead to; without doubt, more students need to be undertaking these subjects.
Chris Coopey, Partner and Practice Director at MHA Carpenter Box commented: "I am looking forward to this event as I'm sure there will be some really interesting and lively debate around this skills shortage - which has been an issue for too long now and appears to be worsening year-by-year. We should be able to agree on some real outcomes that will help our educators to encourage more students to pursue STEM subjects leading to important and fulfilling careers and which will be a practical step on the long road to resolving this issue."
The METALL #10 event will be held between 8am and 11am on Thursday 11 April at the new Engineering & Digital Technology Park, University of Chichester's Bognor Campus, followed by a site tour. The event will be facilitated by Richard Freeman, CEO of East Sussex-based company, always possible. Places will be limited, so please sign up quickly if you would like to attend to avoid disappointment at www.metall.org.uk/events/
METALL is supported by MHA Carpenter Box chartered accountants, solicitors asb law and sector recruitment professionals, CBSbutler. It was launched in 2016 with the primary aim of sharing best practice across Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology businesses.