Future Shortage of Qualified Men
Page 44
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F ORECASTS that there will be a short' age of qualified engineers were supported by a report made to Parliament by the Minister of Science last week.
The report, prepared by the Scientific Policy Committee, is entitled " Scientific and Engineering Manpower in Great Britain, 1959 " (Stationery Office, 3s.) and contains the results of an inquiry by the Ministry of Labour, and employers' forecasts of requirements by 1962.
Although 41,000 scientists and engineers qualified during 1956-58 (COMpared with the committee's estimated maximum of 36,000), at the beginning of this year employers in manufacturing industries had 6,000 vacancies.
During 1959-61, the committee estimate an output of more than 51,000 qualified men, but this figure will again fall short of employers' estimates 3f manpower required.
No attempt has been made to forecast the dernand for scientists and engineers beyond 1962.
Although the motor industry's estimated requirements, up to 1959, were appreciably less than forecast, the • industry is listed among those which will. look for the greatest increases in the future.