Jaguar Land Rover calls for schools to teach engineering
Oct 5 2010 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Mail
SCHOOLS should encourage pupils to learn engineering and consider a career in manufacturing, according to Midland carmaker Jaguar Land Rover.
The firm, which employs more than 16,000 people, urged the Government to provide more support to manufacturers, at the Conservative party conference.
Andrew McCall, the firm’s director of government affairs, urged ministers to act and help the carmaking sector deal with a shortage of workers with essential skills.
He spoke at a conference event attended by Business Minister John Hayes. Mr McCall also called for more investment in research and development – despite the economic downturn.
High-tech manufacturing would help restore Britain’s economic fortunes, he said.
Mr McCall said: “We are right at the vanguard of this low carbon economy, and we are already playing a big part within that.”
Manufacturers would help the Government achieve its goal of ensuring the country no longer depended on banks and financial services to power the economy, he said. But he added: “If we are to achieve this rebalanced economy, if we are to achieve this advanced manufacturing focus, then engineering skills are absolutely vital.
