Enginuity drives major skills initiatives Scotland

Written by Robert Bruce (Sector Development Specialist)

Notes of interest

The recent period in Scotland has been a busy one for Enginuity, with the organisation working closely with stakeholders and its wider network on a variety of initiatives. The following highlights some of the most recent activity.

Modern apprenticeship qualification reform

Enginuity has led an initiative to reform a principal qualification of the Engineering Modern Apprenticeship Standard and Framework, working with a dedicated group of stakeholders, employers and providers. The qualification amendments were successfully accredited by the regulator and accreditation agency in Scotland and will become available through awarding bodies, including EAL, in early 2025.

The project aims to ensure that provision is better aligned to engineering sub-sectors and supports progression to higher-level outcomes for participating apprentices.

Political influencing – skills manifesto

Working closely with its Senior Policy Lead, Enginuity has led on the production of a Skills Manifesto for the Engineering Skills Leadership Group (ESLG), of which Enginuity is a member. The Skills Manifesto has been widely distributed to stakeholders and politicians and has been well received.

It calls for a number of actions to mitigate the skills crisis within Scotland’s engineering sector. The manifesto was launched during a two-hour session with Daniel Johnston MSP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Business and Fair Work, who was open and receptive to its content. The ESLG met recently to reflect on the success of the launch and to agree next steps.

Clyde Maritime Skills project

Enginuity is supporting the Clyde Maritime Skills initiative by identifying how existing skills and knowledge from other engineering disciplines can be transferred into the Clyde maritime sector. The focus is on how Enginuity can support external validation and assurance of skills recognised through RPL as well as those delivered through upskilling programmes.

Engineering communities of practice group

Enginuity, as a principal lead working alongside the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) and College-Based Work Learning (CBWL), successfully launched an Engineering Communities of Practice Group in October 2024 to promote and share best practice.

The group recently held its fourth meeting, with NOS and Standardisation as key agenda items. Enginuity also procured Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to provide a session on its most recent work with provider networks, enabling group members to offer feedback. Membership has now grown to more than 60 since launch.

Scottish Hydrogen Skills Group

As a member of the Scottish Hydrogen Skills Group, Enginuity attended the most recent meeting and had the opportunity to see the H100 Project’s work first-hand. The project is demonstrating the introduction of hydrogen as a fuel source to 100 domestic properties.

Insights were provided on the training required to equip engineers to install hydrogen appliances. The group was also introduced to consultants developing a skills taxonomy for hydrogen, with the Enginuity Skills Comparator noted as a valuable resource in identifying transferable skills from other sectors following Enginuity’s recommendation.

Engineering next generation higher-level qualifications validation

Enginuity has been invited by SQA to participate as a validation panel member for the next generation of Engineering HNC/HND higher-level qualifications. SQA also requested support in adding employers to the validation panel.

Enginuity successfully recruited Score Group, RWG (Rolls Wood Group), Applus, GSK Glaxo, Altrad and others.

Engineering careers awareness

Working closely with ECITB, Enginuity supported an Engineering Career Awareness Day at NESCol in North East Scotland. Enginuity invited and secured participation from several regional employers to promote apprenticeship opportunities, including apprentices who shared their experiences.

Enginuity provided engineering apprenticeship guidance and support, and introduced attendees to Role Explorer and educator tools. In total, 140 senior pupils from across the region attended, all expressing strong interest in engineering or STEM-based careers.