The nanotechnology mini-innovation and growth team announces skills report

The Nanotechnology Mini-Innovation and Growth Team (Mini-IGT) is pleased to announce the availability of a report following the ‘UK Manufacturing needs nanotechnology – Closing the Skills Gap’ event that was held on the 11th May 2011. The Nanotechnology Mini-IGT Secretariat prepared the report and sent it to Rt Hon David Willetts MP.

The report provides supporting information and detailed proposals based on the evidence from an industry survey and conclusions from the event. The report also summarises the issues, recommendations and the responsible departments for ensuring appropriate skills are available in support of the growth of the UK’s manufacturing industries.

The survey and event identified a number of key issues articulated in this report including recommendations on how to tackle the current gap in the provision of appropriate skills and the responsible departments for ensuring these skills are available.

One key recommendation from the report is that the Department for Business Innovation and Skills supports vocational training which is seen as vital to the provision of hands on technicians and operators without whom the UK’s manufacturing industries would find it difficult to deliver competitive products.

Members of the Mini-IGT will work with the other responsible departments to ensure that the recommendations in this report are addressed to close the skills gap.