IET: STEM skills vital to the Scottish economy

The importance of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills to the Scottish economy will be the subject of an event taking place at Holyrood today (Wednesday 14 September).

Organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the event will be hosted and chaired by Maureen Watt MSP.

Among those speaking will be Allan Cook CBE, chairman of Atkins, SELEX Galileo, and sector skills council Semta. He will urge businesses to ensure they have the right skills to prepare for future growth and highlight the important contribution that Scottish businesses have made towards the UK’s engineering and manufacturing industries. However, he will stress that investment in ensuring a pipeline of new talent into the industry is vital in cementing Scotland’s future presence on the engineering global trade stage.

Dr Tony Whitehead, IET Director of Policy, will also address attendees. He said: “STEM skills are the cornerstones of a successful, sustainable economy and one of the keys to Scotland’s future. Motivating young people to take a career in STEM seriously is key and an activity in which the IET invests considerable time and resource.

“Clearly, though, more needs to be done. Changing this requires commitment and leadership by the Scottish Parliament together with a harmonised effort by industry, the STEM professional bodies, such as the IET, and other stakeholders.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:
§ Interview and filming opportunities are available with IET spokespersons.

§ The IET is Europe’s largest professional body of engineers with over 150,000 members in 127 countries.

§ For more information, visit www.theiet.org.

§ Follow the IET on Twitter.

Media enquiries to:
Robert Beahan, Press Officer
T: +44 (0)1438 767336
M: +44 (0)7595 400912
E: rbeahan@theiet.org