TAC UK help plug the skills gap

Leading building controls specialist has devised in-depth plans to bolster the development of UK engineers and tackle the skills shortage.

TAC UK - a leading building controls specialist has devised in-depth plans to bolster the development of UK engineers and tackle the skills shortage.

TAC UK is a provider of the world's most innovative integrated building automation systems and is now looking to lead the way in engineering training too, as a response to the skills shortage that is threatening to undermine the industry in years to come.

The London Olympics in 2012 look set to create 150,000 jobs, many in construction.

The National Federation of Builders has warned that workers could be drawn to the glamour of working on an Olympic project, leaving further shortages elsewhere.

Meanwhile, a recent survey by the Engineering and Marine Training Authority (EMTA) showed that 35 per cent of electronics manufacturing firms had recently experienced difficulty recruiting, while the National Employer Skills Survey for the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA) found that 95 per cent of manufacturing and engineering firms believed that skills shortages were having an impact on their businesses.

The skills shortage could leave leading engineering and technology firms throughout the UK facing difficulties to recruit quality skilled staff.

Paul Burley, Divisional Director, TAC UK, said the company was set to launch its own Engineer Development Programme (EDP), aimed at bringing through the UK's finest new engineering talent.

He said the firm has some high-reaching plans for the scheme, including possible industry-standard accreditation.

TAC UK's EDP scheme has been devised by experts in the field - each module has been created by people who do the job every day to ensure it covers the necessary skills needed to progress.

The programme, though, takes a holistic approach and ensures no area of personal development is left untouched.

The first step is to ensure basic competency, including electrical competence, product, commercial, contractual, financial, health and safety and quality awareness.

The EDP will then deal with skills that are specific to engineering, including controls application, electrical installation, energy knowledge and remote services.

It will also deal with general skills needed to develop a successful career, such as health and safety, labour resource planning, leadership, people management and financial competence.

Each module will be covered at basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

Burley said the programme could take up to five years to complete - reflecting TAC UK's long-term commitment to its staff.

He added: "Engineers are the backbone of this industry so we are looking to develop a way to make sure they are given the development and investment they deserve".

"London winning the Olympic bid was undeniably good news for the economy, and for the construction and engineering sectors, but we need to work to fill the increased number of jobs that will become available over the next seven years".

""We want to differentiate ourselves by concentrating on developing our engineers to be the very best.

It will raise the bar in a big way and will make a long-term career with TAC more attractive to engineers and project managers, whilst also benefiting the industry in general".

""We are looking to offer young people a real future and a real career here, so they can see and monitor their progression and, if they do ever leave, they will do so with an industry-recognised qualification".

"The same applies to our experienced engineers - we want to offer them real progression opportunities".

"For TAC, the benefits are obvious - we will continue to be able to attract the highest-calibre recruits, and also help the personal and professional development of the staff we already have.

The benefit to our customers is an increase in service levels via a highly skilled and highly motivated team".

"The EDP is likely to be extended over time to include other areas of the business and indeed phase two is already underway and will be implemented across our Remote Services Team very shortly.".

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