CBI warns of engineering brain drain

The number of UK students graduating with science and engineering degrees needs to double over the next six years or skilled jobs will head overseas, according to the CBI.

The business lobby group warned industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aerospace and defence could be forced to relocate operations overseas if the skills shortage is not averted.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director-general, said: "Britain has a world- class science base and many world-beating companies but we must build on these strengths ... Our future success will depend on our ability to compete not only with our traditional international rivals but new ones too, particularly India and China."

Dick Olver, chairman of BAE Systems, the biggest employer of engineers in Britain, said: "Unless all of us in industry and business do more to work with our partners in education and government, there is a real risk that UK Plc will be left behind when it comes to global competitiveness."

The CBI said that around 12 per cent of university students graduate with a science, engineering or technology degree. It argued that has to rise to 25 per cent, or 97,000 graduates, by 2014 to match the predicted growth in jobs.

The CBI said that more has to be spent improving laboratories and specialist teaching facilities in secondary schools.