Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Deferred
Develop an evidence-led plan to increase diversity within the transport manufacturing sector.
Recommendation
Skills England should by the end of 2026 set out an evidence-led plan, commissioning research necessary to fill gaps in knowledge on what has worked best in the manufacturing sector, detailing how it will support the Government’s target to increase diversity in the manufacturing sectors. The plan should include commitments to: • assess the long-term effectiveness of manufacturing sector engagement activities with young people; • independently assess the outcomes of manufacturing sector recruitment campaigns; and • monitor bespoke adjustments made by manufacturers designed to increase diversity of entrants, such as introducing inclusive workwear for women. Skills England should also support small and medium-sized enterprises by providing shared toolkits to help them adopt best practice measures for increasing diversity. We ask that the Department for Transport report to our Committee at least every six months on progress towards achieving this diversity target in transport manufacturing specifically. (Recommendation, Paragraph 73)
Government Response Summary
The government will wait for the Make UK Equality Taskforce's recommendations before taking action on increasing diversity in the advanced manufacturing sector, including transport manufacturing, and will update the select committee once the Task Force has tangible recommendations.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity by building skills for opportunity and growth so that every young person can follow the path that is right for them. DfT is delivering against the Opportunity Mission by managing transport skills policy and providing training opportunity with our major projects, including HS2 apprenticeships. DBT has developed a target, in consultation with industry, to increase women’s representation in the sector to 35% by 2035. Although precise figures fluctuate, the latest report from the Women in Manufacturing initiative from the Institute for Manufacturing, places the number of women in the manufacturing sector at 28.4%, although representation in certain occupations remains lower than this. We want this to change. This target applies to advanced manufacturing sub-sectors as set out in the Sector Plan - transport manufacturing is an important part of this (with aerospace and automotive being two of the relevant sectors), but the target encompasses other Advanced Manufacturing sectors. We are working with industry to improve representation and diversity across the sector, including through a Make UK Equality Taskforce due to be launched in the coming months. This body will bring together industry representatives and change makers and will consider how to achieve this aim, as well as to establish an Equality Charter across advanced manufacturing sub-sectors. We expect that it will also consider issues around recruitment and improving the perception of the sector, as you have raised. We will be led by the Task Force’s expertise, and do not want to pre-empt their findings at this stage. We would be pleased to update the select committee in due course once the Task Force has tangible recommendations for both Government and industry.