MIA Conversation with Fiona McGarry, Sector Engagement Manager at Enginuity

Описание: From Skills Gap to Skills Edge: The Strategic Value of Apprenticeships in UK Industry

As of 2025, the UK’s technical skills gap is showing signs of improvement—but it’s still a major concern for employers:
• 76% of UK employers report difficulty filling roles due to a lack of skilled talent, down from 80% in 2024.
• The engineering and manufacturing sectors remain among the hardest hit, with persistent demand for technical and digital skills.
• 28% of employers are addressing the gap by upskilling or reskilling their current workforce, while 23% are expanding their talent pools and 21% are increasing wages to attract candidates.
• The SME Skills Horizon 2025 report highlights that many small and medium-sized enterprises are prioritizing investment in workforce development, especially in sectors like advanced manufacturing and green technologies.

Apprenticeships, especially in engineering and manufacturing, are seen as a key part of the solution, from trades apprenticeship to engineering degrees.

The STEM Positive Disruptor introducing my special guest, Fiona McGarry, Sector Engagement Manager at Enginuity on MIA Conversation, passionate about all things apprenticeship, engineering, manufacturing and increasing diversity within STEM.

Wow, what a powerful conversation with solutions that could really make a difference in bridging the technical skills gaps and help the industry as a whole.
Please listen to our conversation in full,    • MIA Conversation with Fiona McGarry, Secto...  

3 Key things I learnt:
• The importance of educating parents on the value add of technical apprenticeship at level 2 and 3
• The secondary school system needs a complete overhaul, the school system needs to provide an alternative education route that allows young people who prefer a practical hand on learning experience to thrive.
• Although we have more female engineers in the industry, retention is a problem, so the industry needs more male allies in the sector, to be that voice for that lone female when she's not in the room to say, actually, she deserves this opportunity and promotion.

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