Plans to create graduate and post-graduate level apprenticeships in advanced engineering will help stem the brain drain from Britain, skills body Semta said today.

Government changes to the Specification of Apprentices Standards for England (SASE) mean that from next year level six and seven apprenticeships – equivalent to bachelors and masters degree level – will be available for the first time, making vocational learning an attractive alternative to the traditional higher education route. Semta is already forging ahead not only with Higher Apprenticeships that can lead to degrees and post-graduate qualifications, but also with a ground-breaking programme of master’s level training for existing employees.

Sarah Sillars, chief executive of Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing believes the programmes developed by Semta with employers are essential to create higher level skills in the workplace. A recent survey by Roevin, a recruitment firm specialising in engineering, suggested four out of five professional engineers were prepared to leave the country to work overseas – citing pay, lifestyle and valuable work experience as key factors. And last year 31percent of hi-tech manufacturing firms said they had to recruit workers from overseas due to the lack of available skills in the UK. Sillars said there is an urgent need to ensure young people, parents, schools and universities understand the importance of engineering and the fantastic career prospects industry offers.

“It is vital to the future of our economy to have a skilled workforce capable of competing in a global marketplace,” she said. “That is why Semta developed higher level apprenticeships for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering. The frameworks not only upskill the existing workforce, but develop new recruits and, because they are designed with employers, they will encourage more companies to recruit apprentices.” The Higher Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering is available at level 4 and 6 incorporatesacademic qualifications such as HNC, HND, foundation degrees and BEng Honours degree. Over a three to five year period, the Level 6 Higher apprenticeship framework gives the apprentices the opportunity to gain Incorporated Engineer status. Semta has also developed the Advanced Skills Accreditation Scheme (ASAS) – a unique, flexible, programme of Master’s level training focused on delivering skills in specific, key technologies identified as critical for driving growth and productivity within UK advanced manufacturing and engineering supply chain companies.

It provides the best courses from the best sources, the first scheme of its type offering flexible access to individual Masters level modules through a network of leading universities. ASAS has no academic prerequisites. It is anticipated engineers from 2,000 companies in England will be taking 5,000 Master’s Degree modules over the next two years. Sillars added: “With the recent SASE announcement from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, there is a real commitment to driving the skills agenda forward at pace. “And Semta is leading the charge,ideally positioned to offer advice and coordinate employers and sector organisations to create partnerships to meet the challenges head on.”