Ace thinking [19/05/2009] The Isle of Man boasts a thriving engineering sector, with many household names, but many young people are turning their backs on this as a career choice. Now the island's aerospace companies have joined forces to launch the ACE (Awareness of Careers in Engineering) project, aimed at turning the tide. Brian Wall reports As many within companies' workforces age and retire, the number of young people turning to engineering and apprenticeships in general has plummeted – which is why the government, responding to the Leitch report, has thrown its full weight behind driving up the numbers of apprentices. Its target is to have 500,000 in training across the UK by 2020, with 400,000 in England (currently around 240,000) and the rest in the devolved administrations. While government and its agencies – such as the Learning and Skills Council and the newly created National Apprenticeships Service – seek to reverse the decline in apprenticeship numbers by convincing employers that apprenticeships are vital to their future economic success, there are those who have never had the slightest doubts. Over on the Isle of Man, for example, all the aerospace companies have joined forces to create a special apprenticeship for aerospace (see box, below. They have also created, in conjunction with the island's Government Department of Trade and Industry, a sector skills group for engineering to promote careers in engineering to schools and colleges. This is delivered primarily through the ACE project, established by the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce Manufacturing and Technical Industries Committee (MTIC) through their Engineering Sector Skills Group (ESSG). The project is supported by 10 of the largest of the 52 engineering companies on the island, which between them employ around half of the total 2,500 workforce across the sector. To put that into context, the island population is 80,000, of which half are in work and less than 500 are unemployed. ACE WITH THREE AIMS The ACE project has three fundamental aims: To change people's (students, teachers, parents, adults, etc) perception of engineering and manufacturing; To make these groups more aware of what the engineering and manufacturing sector on other the Island comprises; and, To ensure students and parents see engineering and manufacturing as a viable, rewarding and long-term career option on the island. To that end, there are two key features of the project. First, explaining what engineering and manufacturing actually is – ie, that it's not about fixing cars, but the creation/design and manufacture of both everyday items and also highly complicated components for the aerospace industry, amongst others. For example, components for the world's largest commercial airliner, the Airbus A380, are made on the island. Second, explaining what opportunities are available now and are likely to be in the future, and how this relates to skills required and what subjects are offered in the island's schools and college. Image: Apprentices at Ronaldsway The engineering and manufacturing sector across the Isle of Man comprises a diverse range of companies, both in expertise and the markets they supply. Two common aspects, though, are that they are all thriving, despite the competitive markets in which they operate, and all enjoy both new and repeat business from worldwide major customers. The sector has seen growth during the past three years of about 25% and, in the main, does not currently appear to be suffering. However, this success does bring a particular problem – and that is associated with dealing with the 'spikes' that occur as a result of such success, as Sector Skills champion Adrian Harrison explains: "All companies have a very strong desire to employ skilled people locally from the island, as not only is this the right thing to do, but the people are often more settled to island life. "However, the sector, while it does employ a considerable number of people with 'general' skills, often to support such growth or demand spikes, needs to employ certain highly skilled people. This may be on a permanent or a temporary basis, and every effort is made to search out and secure the necessary skills from the local population. "Yet, over the past five years, we have seen a steady decline in our success rate in acheiving this, instead having to recruit people off-island, either directly or via agencies, which, in turn, requires work permit considerations and then introduces home/family issues with regard to where to live, etc. In addition, often to meet these demands from our customers, we have to act quickly or else the business will go elsewhere in this very competitive market place in which we operate." DEVELOPING PROBLEM This developing problem of skills shortage was raised a few years ago at one of the island's Chamber of Commerce sub-committee meetings of the Manufacturing and Technical Industries Committee (MTIC) – which is supported by many of the principal companies – along with the Department of Trade and Industry. The committee sits once a month and discusses issues confronting the whole sector, together with progress on actions. The local skills availability issue is particularly acute for engineering and aerospace companies. This lack of locally skilled people is undoubtedly the number one issue faced by the sector, even in the prevailing worldwide economic climate. "This shortage draws a parallel with the same situation developing in other European countries," adds Harrison. "But it is exacerbated by the fact that we are an island and any potentially skilled people – say, in the northwest (110 miles away) – cannot readily and afford to commute here, as they may do in the UK to, say, work in the southwest of England. We are experiencing a general decline of interest towards engineering and manufacturing as a career by our youngsters (again paralleled elsewhere) where the desire to work in the sector is reducing." Why should that be? He puts it down to three fundamental reasons: Engineering and manufacturing is not understood (and incorrect perceptions exist); People are simply not aware that there is a thriving sector across the island; and, People do not understand what they need, in terms of qualifications and abilities, in order to secure employment within the sector. The MTIC members also explored what the consequences might be, if this developing skills shortage was not addressed, by reviewing the sector demographic, in terms of age of current employees. As of March last year, the highest number of employees was in the 41-50 years of age bracket – and the lowest in the under-20s and 21-30 brackets. "That supports our views on the declining interest levels of the local youth towards the sector. We also concluded that, if we did nothing to change this, the longevity of our respective companies in 10-15 years could be threatened." As a result, the island's Department of Trade and Industry launched an initiative, supported by the MTIC, where Sector Skills groups were created, linking the private and public sectors, to discuss and put forward actions to address the skill gaps. The Engineering Sector Skills Group (ESSG) was created, which now has representatives from MTIC, the DTI, Isle of Man College, secondary schools, primary schools and the Careers Service. There was also the appointment of Harrison to the role of skills champion, one for which he was eminently qualified as a local engineer who has worked with Manx Airlines (becoming British Airways prior to its sale to Flybe in 2007) and boasts more than 22 years' experience in the engineering environment. The ESSG is now overseeing activities, with the aim of changing perceptions towards the sector and rejuvenating interest in it as a rewarding and satisfying career, ensuring the sector is able to source the required skills from the local community in future, without having to resort to off-island recruitment to meet its needs. At the heart of this initiative sits the ACE Project. Since its launch, it has already made significant gains. "For example, the focus on Year 6 pupils in local schools is already showing early signs of success, in that they all recalled the Year 6 engineering lesson we gave when we took another lesson with them during their Year 7," says Harrison. "It is also apparent that both teachers, and Year 9 and 11 pupils, are more aware of engineering than in previous years after our visits and discussions within our secondary schools," he adds, "and so the pupils can make more balanced decisions about GCSEs and A levels. NUMBERS ON THE UP Moreover, perhaps by coincidence or maybe as an early indicator of things to come, this year the IOM College has 31 people attending its engineering course, a record, as usually only up to 20 apply. "And the apprenticeship scheme [specially created for aerospace] has been quickly filled with 10 places, whereas in previous years it has proved difficult to recruit these sorts of numbers, to say the least." The ACE project is now driving at a pace into its second year and all previous activities will be repeated, with subtle improvements where appropriate. New activities are also being rolled out, such as a Year 7 engineering-related lesson, 'Engineering – How does it work?'", which is a follow-on from the Year 6 '"Engineering – what's that about?" lesson. Such lessons once a year, together with other supporting events and activities, are the backbone of changing perceptions and attitudes towards the sector. The development of the new Aerospace Apprenticeship, as part of the ACE project also, is another vehicle for people to enter employment in the sector. Certainly, such is the determination to ensure the sector continues to thrive on the island that many people are now involved in, or aware of, the ACE project from – government, the educational establishments, careers service and also the engineering sector. "All are working together to ensure the project is a success, thereby safeguarding the longevity of the sector by addressing its number one issue of locally available skilled people," states Harrison. Until this comes to fruition, though, companies may still have to resort to off-island recruitment to satisfy these needs." While this is not ideal at the moment," he concedes, "it does ensure the success of projects, expansion, and subsequent employment opportunity and prosperity for many across our island. In the future, hopefully, we'll be more self-sufficient as an island community, with regards to the skills pool." Image: Soap box derby at the 2008 Port Erin Regatta on the Isle of Man. Far left is the winning entry, from RLC Romaldsway; centre is another RLC Group company, RLC Callender Aeropart; and, right, RLC Langford Lodge. The cars were designed, built and piloted by RLC Group first and second-year apprentices. Click here Box item Aerospace scheme lift-off The new Aerospace Apprenticeship scheme – launched on the Isle of Man in September 2008 with 10 students, aged 16–19 – was created to address perceived weaknesses in the then existing individual company-run schemes and the reducing numbers of people wishing to take up an apprenticeship There had been a gradual movement away from the practical skills that needed to be developed, while each company was also spending much time and effort trying to secure people for those schemes. Having one scheme island-wide, which satisfied all companies' needs and brought back the neglected practical elements of apprenticeships, was seen as a significant step in improving the competency of apprentices upon completion, while also increasing the likelihood of uptake of students on the scheme. Launching the new Aerospace Apprenticeship has been a migratory process, in order to help the Isle of Man College 'ramp up' to the full first year content, which is mainly practically oriented. The 2008 intake will, therefore, complete some of the Year 1 content during Years 2 and 3 to ensure all content has been fulfilled upon scheme completion. The September 2009 intake (another 10 apprentices) will complete more of the Year 1 content from the onset. It is anticipated that a full Year 1 programme will be offered from September 2010. It is believed that the intake will increase eventually to around 20 apprentices each year, perhaps more. The scheme is aimed at all engineering companies on the island. The organisations that have played a part in its creation are: GE Aviation, Swagelok, RLC Ronaldsway, Manx Engineers, TAC Europe, Tritec Components, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Education. The Isle of Man College delivers all vocational (theory) and skills (practical) training, with the sponsoring companies helping throughout the scheme to put into practice what the students have learned. In Years 2 and 3, this will include teaching and developing skills on site within the companies as the apprentices move between these companies, even though employed by only one. This enables students to gain an understanding of processes that may not be undertaken in their employing company – part of the 'rounding' of the students' overall knowledge. Box item Isle of Man facts and figures The Isle of Man is situated in the Irish Sea, at a distance of 31 miles from both Ireland and the UK mainland. It has a population of more than 80,000 (2006 Census). The island is 33 miles long by 13 miles wide, and has a land area of 221 sq miles. Manufacturing contributes 7% to its GDP and is the second largest sector after banking. In recent times, manufacturing has grown at more than 30% per annum. First published in Engineering Apprentice, Spring 2009