UK needs more science graduates, warns CBI

Published on Monday 12 March 2007 11:35

THE Confederation of British Industry has warned the number of science and engineering graduates will have to double by 2014 if employers are not to be forced to look overseas for engineering talent.

And Dick Olver, chairman of Britain's biggest engineering employer BAE Systems, was today set to back the CBI's call.

Mr Olver was expected to warn of a "real risk" that firms will have to go elsewhere for workers unless the UK's universities produce more science and engineering graduates.

The CBI said Britain needs to increase the number of science, engineering and technology degrees from 45,000 to 90,000 to meet demand from employers.

The employers' organisation said: "Around 12 per cent of graduates presently leave university with a science, engineering and technology degree and this needs to rise to at least 25 per cent if the UK is to match the predicted growth in jobs."

Mr Olver was expected to add: "Unless all of us in industry and business do more to work with our partners in education and government, there is a real risk that UK plc will be left behind when it comes to global competitiveness."