Website gives jobs hope to engineers
Online project is aimed at retaining vital skills for the UK in areas such as aerospace, automotive, renewables, marine and nuclear
The business secretary, Vince Cable, met Allan Cook, the chairman of the Skills and Jobs Retention Group yesterday, together with representatives from BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Nissan.
Visit the Talent Retention Solutions website
The group has created the Talent Retention Solution (TRS), a website that holds details of engineering staff at risk of redundancy and vacancies in the engineering sectors.
'I encourage engineering firms to take advantage of this important opportunity to add to their skillsets, and particularly SMEs for who the service is free.'
- Vince Cable
The site is aimed at helping engineers seeking work, as well as companies looking to recruit - and will give assist the UK to retain vital skills for the benefit of growing sectors in engineering such as aerospace, automotive, renewables, marine and nuclear.
Mr Cable said: "I was pleased to hear today from Allan Cook and representatives of leading engineering companies about progress in the development of the Talent Retention Solution, which the government helped business to create.
"The TRS provides a way for advanced manufacturing and engineering companies to recruit engineers quickly.
"It supports UK economic growth by ensuring that sectors who are winning business and recruiting can secure vital engineering talent from companies that are in a different economic cycle.
"I encourage engineering firms to take advantage of this important opportunity to add to their skillsets, and particularly SMEs for who the service is free."
Mr Cook said: "I continue to be encouraged and delighted with the level of support for the TRS across all engineering sectors, from large, medium and small engineering firms to trade associations and the UNITE union.
"This is the first national system to support the redeployment and retention of engineering talent. It is very clear that there is real demand for engineering skills in the market which is reflected in the success of TRS.
"The system is already fully operational and working well. Many of the larger and medium sized engineering companies are actively engaged, but it is relevant to all companies in the supply chain with demand for engineering skills or where there is, unfortunately, a need to engage with companies where employee numbers are reducing due to market forces.
"The service is free for SMEs with employee numbers less than 500, so they can benefit from the system at no cost. For all companies interested in engineering recruitment, this is an opportunity not to be missed - for more details and to sign up to the TRS see the website www.talentretention.biz.”