The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged the growing challenge of skills shortages in the defence industry, with particular attention on the shortage of welders and other craft roles, according to responses to Parliamentary questions on Thursday.
Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) asked the department what steps were being taken to address skills gaps within the sector.
In response, Defence Minister Maria Eagle stated: “The Ministry of Defence recognises that attracting and retaining the right mix of skills is critical to sustaining a vibrant, innovative and competitive UK defence sector.”
Eagle confirmed that the issue is being prioritised within the development of the Defence Industrial Strategy and would be “a topic given close attention by the Defence Industrial Joint Council.”
She added that the MOD is continuing to work closely with the Department for Education, the Department for Business and Trade, and industry partners to ensure workforce needs are met.
In a follow-up question, Dhesi pressed for specific data on vacancies for welders in the defence industry. Eagle did not provide a precise figure but said: “The demand for craft skills, including welders, is recognised across the defence sector and is a particular area of interest for the joint Government and industry Shipbuilding Skills Delivery Group.”
She acknowledged that the challenge extends beyond defence, noting: “Meeting this demand is also recognised as a challenge across the economy and not solely as an issue for defence.”
The MOD, she said, is continuing to work with the Department for Education to explore opportunities to address future workforce requirements.
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If you actually wanted economic growth you’d make it a priority to train the workforce that we already need and are short of.
The biggest reason that UK construction is such a mess is that the workforce is hopelessly undertrained.
But there again in the fantasy world of UK politics….?
Would it have any bearing on the MOD progressive DEI hiring practice by any chance? Just wondering.
The MOD used to train larger numbers, since Babcock took over apprenticeship numbers have dwindled as cheaper to just hire in people someone else has trained.
Why would you want to spend your working life wearing a bucket on your head, staring at a bright light and breathing in harmful fumes?
Meanwhile, the RAF Puma force was disbanded.
No idea what happens to the personnel of 33 and 230 Sqns, twiddle their thumbs?
No timeline, numbers, for a replacement.
But all is well, Rachel from accounts keeps grandstanding about the sticking plaster she’s just stuck on.
BAE Systems recruited 2700 UK apprentices and graduate engineers in 2024. BAE has more than doubled its early careers intake in the past five years, making a significant contribution to the UK economy and offering more young people than ever the prospect of long-term careers supporting the nation’s armed forces and security services.
What is holding them back is a lack of orders from the MoD. Despite the acknowledged difficulties in the government/BAE relationship in the past, the current situation demands that both sides overcome the problems. The MoD could talk to BAE about a GBAD solution for example.
David, our GBAD system is Sky Sabre, one of the CAMM family, made by MBDA UK. The issue is that there have been none procured to protect infrastructure in this country..
Give free university courses or apprenticeship to people in the areas we need. Part of the deal is they have to work in some capacity for tfe country for a set period of time.
Seems obvious to me
You need the best People Building and Developing the Best Kit for the people at the sharp end. The UK Industrial skills shortage must be addressed PDQ. Not an easy task by any means but BAE have been doing a good job. Rolls Royce can do the same given the have the support and assistance for U.K. Gov. It ha s now become a national imperative.
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So we can’t fix or build our own kit to defend ourselves? That is a surprise. The rot can be traced back through the MoD during ww1 refusing to buy shells from people it didn’t think good enough to the civil service of today that won’t buy anything British made because they don’t get a good enough all expenses jolly to check things out. The solution is clear, build, repair and even finally dismantle stuff in the UK, no IDs, not buts no excuses
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Thats according to the BBC. Quote, Germany decides to leave history in the past and prepare for war!
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Nick
Of course there’s a skill gap. What’s needed is engineers and industrial workers. The kind that are a dime a dozen in civilian manufacturing. Which has all been offshored, the staff either expatriated or retired.