Commenting on the Industrial Strategy green paper released today by Government, ACE chief executive Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE said:

"The Engineering sector has long been a champion of the benefits to the UK from investment in our digital, transport, water and energy infrastructure as a driver of growth. For too long the skills investment that we need to deliver these projects has, however, been neglected with a result that we now have far too few engineering professionals in the country. It is, therefore, welcome news that we will be seeing an increased emphases on STEM subjects at schools alongside new technical institutions.

"The stated aims of the industrial Strategy to deliver jobs across the UK, to expand the reach of UK businesses and export markets, and to innovate with new ways of doing things, are all things that Consulting Engineering firms already excel at. With smarter policymaking in areas such as public procurement and regulation, however, the sector can do much more to grow UK PLC. ACE will collaborate with other industries bodies to champion working with BEIS on the development of the Strategy going forward to secure the UK competitive position post-Brexit."

ENDS