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GCSE results: Exams alone
are failing to produce work-
ready school leavers
» » THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS AT RISK
of stifling economic growth if there isn’t a
greater focus on skills based learning, such
as work experience, says the Institution
of Engineering and Technology (IET), as
GCSE results are revealed across the UK.
The IET calls today for more practical
learning and development options to be
built into the curriculum, but stresses
it’s not just the responsibility of schools;
employers have a duty to provide work
experience for those in education
or training to improve the supply of
engineers and technicians coming into
the industry.
Addressing these growing concerns,
the latest Skills and Demand in Industry
report*, published by the IET, confirms
that 68% of employers are worried that the
education system will struggle to keep up
with the skills required for technological
change with 62% agreeing that young
people entering today’s workplace do not
have the right skills. 91% of companies
surveyed went on to agree that more work
experience needs to be offered to reduce
the growing skills gap.
Alison Carr, IET Director of Policy, said:
“There is deep concern that access to our
next generation of work-ready engineers
and technicians is being stifled by a lack
of work experience options available to
young people as part of their studies.
“As we are facing an engineering
shortfall in the next decade, compounded
by uncertainty around skills following
Brexit, it is never too early to start
developing the next generation of ‘home
grown’ engineering and technology talent
that have the right practical skills.
“Work experience is part of the solution
and we are now calling on employers and
educators to continue to strengthen their
working relationships to ensure that the
work experience they offer is designed
with the skills gap in mind.”
The IET champions the need for
employers and the education sector to
collaborate to offer a diverse range of
quality work experience to engineering
students. For more information about the
range of support and options available
to students through the IET, visit the
Students section of the IET website.
CRUCIAL ADVICE TO LOCKSMITHS FROM DHF
» » WITH DHF’S (DOOR & HARDWARE
Federation) ultimate objective to
maintain and raise quality standards
throughout the industry and in light
of recent events, the Tamworth-based
trade association is offering advice to
UK locksmiths regarding the safety
and integrity of timber fire-doors
following refurbishment or modification.
Ultimately, with the weight of legal
responsibility sitting on the locksmith, it
is essential that the integrity of the fire-
door is not compromised.
“There are many considerations in
ensuring that locksmiths are operating
within legal guidelines when it comes
to any alterations made to a fire-door,”
explains BRE’s Bob Richards. “Evidence
of performance is crucial. For example,
has the lock in question, been subject to
a relevant fire test with the actual door on
which it will be used?”
Other factors essential in meeting
compliance are establishing how much
timber is to be removed from the door
leaf and if this is within the scope of the
door leaf manufacturer’s tested data. The
flammable components or low melting
point metals contained in the lock or
associated hardware will also need to
be considered. The danger is that such
materials could transmit fire to the
non-fire side of the door. The evidence of
performance should identify whether or
not it will be necessary to fit intumescent
material around the lock to replace any
breaks in the perimeter seals of the door
leaf.
‘the difference between
life and death’
Central to dhf’s purpose of course,
is educating those with the ultimate
responsibility for safety concerning fire
resisting an