.
“The job losses at Bombardier signal a further decline in core UK engineering skills. It's desperately sad, but not surprising. This is not a problem with a single contract to build the new Thameslink trains, but symptomatic of a more serious and deep rooted malaise. The UK has no clear vision for its long-term transport infrastructure for which British manufacturing can tool-up, raise funds and develop skills.
“The UK is on course to remain one of the worst performing European countries in terms of transport infrastructure for the next 10 years – even with projects like High Speed Rail 2 and the new Hitachi train building plant in the North East. Vital national strategic capabilities such as transport, energy and defence demand clear long-term visionary thinking and joined up government action.
“Without these the UK is stuck in the sidings and well-intentioned initiatives to boost engineering apprenticeships and encourage technology innovation will be meaningless – especially in Derby,” he concluded.
A recent survey by the Institution found that of the 1,000 manufacturers polled just 12% thought that the UK government was performing well on manufacturing. IMechE
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