Following completion of research undertaken last year on behalf of the British Stainless Steel Association [BSSA], Director Duncan Munro has suggested the Association act to co-ordinate efforts to counter the threat of declining fabrication and welding skills in the industry. The research project carried out by Steel Training [now Metskill] and supported by the DTI, highlighted the increasing reliance of companies on a declining pool of experience, which is not being replaced at an adequate rate to meet future demand. In his address to the Leeds Branch of the Welding and Joining Society, Duncan Munro pointed out the difficulty in attracting and retaining young people to a career in engineering. The lack of uptake and consequent commercial pressure to devote resources to other areas of education, is putting pressure on educational establishments at all levels, encouraging a cycle of declining provision. At the same time, companies are relying more heavily on in-house training.
Duncan Munro highlighted the new BSSA Stainless Steel Specialist Course and skills competitions, such as SkillWELD – co-sponsored by the Association, as examples of such initiatives. Further details of the Stainless Steel Course can be obtained from Alison Murphy at the BSSA on telephone: 0114 290 0888 or fax: 0114 290 0897 e-mail enquiry@bssa.org.uk.
