Profile: SEMTA

Published: 16 September 2004

SEMTA is one of the new UK government-recognised Sector Skills Councils representing the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies.

SEMTA is one of the new UK government-recognised Sector Skills Councils representing the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies. SEMTA was formed in April 2003, but its origins go back to the mid-Sixties and the Industrial Training Act of 1964, which resulted in a number of Industrial Training Boards that had the power to impose a financial training levy on employers over a certain size. In the case of engineering and the EITB, this was 60.

A series of grant schemes were created to reward employers who implemented a structured plan of training for their workforce. In the Seventies, employers who could prove a good track record of training activity could be granted exemption from most of the levy.

There will be many people now in their forties and fifties who will remember the EITB TR23 craft module segment and the TR21 technician training schemes, both of which required a period of "off the job" initial training when applied to engineering apprentices. There were also other training schemes including operator training elements and a scheme of training recommendations for student engineers.

All these training schemes were objective-based, stating the expectations of workers completing the programmes. The creators would argue that they were a precursor to the current system of vocational qualifications that are competence-based.

The EITB was dissolved in 1991 along with the levy exemption scheme, much to the relief of some employers. A new voluntary organisation was created called EnTra, the Engineering Training Authority, which was also a charity. A merger with the Marine and Engineering Training Association, (M&ETA) in 1996 formed EMTA, which became one of more than 70 National Training Organisations dissolved by the Government in March 2002.

SEMTA has a much wider scope than the original EMTA, which covered engineering manufacturing. SEMTA represents some two million employees with a range that includes the science occupations, e.g. forensic and laboratory technicians, and the diversity of engineering, including the sectors of marine and aerospace.

As a government-recognised organisation, SEMTA performs many roles, including a research facility that looks at future trends of employment, identifying skill gaps in particular levels and types of employment. This information is used by various bodies, not least government departments perhaps considering offering funding incentives to employers to establish business activities to an area of high unemployment.

Another key role for SEMTA is to develop comprehensive Occupational Standards for its sector. These occupational standards have various applications including benchmarking but, most of all, they are the base materials on which vocational qualifications (VQs) are based.

A third example of activity would be the development of apprenticeship frameworks that can be practically applied by employers. Most of the newer apprenticeship schemes require a combination of defined academic qualifications (training certificates), vocational qualifications such as National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications and Key/Core Skills in areas such as communication, application of number and problem solving.

There are many challenges facing SEMTA and the employers within this large sector. A snapshot of just three of these:

* Increasing attention to existing employees, encouraging enhancement/upskilling and including adult apprenticeships for mature candidates.

* Greater availability of undergraduate training schemes for degree students that are employer led and provide real opportunity for students to apply their abilities in a business environment. The graduate apprenticeship is one such scheme.

* Significant input from smaller employers to implement structured training schemes for their existing workforce and provision for new employees such as apprentices. Over 95 per cent of employers within the sector are SMEs employing fewer than 250 workers. These employers are the backbone of the sector and they must contribute to the future availability of qualified workers - where else will they come from?

SEMTA is based in Watford (01923 238441) and has a network of Sector Skills Advisers based throughout the UK.

A further key function of SEMTA is ECIS, the Engineering Careers Information Service. Established in 1976 as a part of the old EITB, it provides a range of engineering career information mainly targeting young people under 25 years. Facilities include a freephone advisory service, literature and representation at larger careers exhibitions. One particular product that is very popular is an engineering careers routes map poster, which is available in several versions including the Scottish system and the Welsh language.

ECIS can be contacted on: freephone 0800 282167; email ecis@ semta.org.uk or go to www.enginuity.org.uk

John Bristow, National Careers and Education Manager, SEMTA