‘Stop political interference in education’ call01 July 2014

If UK manufacturing is to compete, political 'dabbling' in our education system must be minimised, according to Chris Buxton, CEO of the British fluid Power Association.

He said: "We must return academic standards to the level that they were in not too distant history and develop a system that caters for those students who are unable to meet the required standards...

"Taking standards down to the lowest common denominator may be good for short term votes, but it will be suicide for the UK economy in the longer term. In a globalised manufacturing economy, we tinker with educational standards at our peril."

He said surveys among trade associations in engineering and manufacturing indicated the single largest obstacle to business growth since 2006 was a lack of suitably qualified employees with a desire to work in the sector and a good work ethic.

He added: "If it was ever the case that a strong education system operating to global academic standards was fundamental to a successful manufacturing economy, then it is certainly the case now.

"The technology that is underpinning the current manufacturing boom requires a pipeline of appropriately qualified employees and, at the moment, it would appear to be lacking."

Buxton concluded: "A robust education system which operates to the kind of standards required to compete on an ever more global stage is critical to the future success of UK manufacturing...

"No amount of political intervention will change the complexity of the kind of mathematics needed to design a world class engine."

Ian Vallely

Related Companies
British Fluid Power Association

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