ENGINEERING skills vacancies are costing the North-west regional economy around £107 million a year.

New research from the skills council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies (Semta), shows that engineering employers are being urged to stave off the economic downturn by improving workers’ skills through productivity, competitiveness training and a £65 million sector funding deal.

The new report says 22 per cent of engineering businesses in the North-west had skill gaps while 14 per cent had hard-to-fill vacancies between March 2006/07.

Nine per cent of engineering employees in the North-west have no qualifications and many more are under-qualified for their roles.

In order to help employers to overcome these issues, Semta has secured £65 million funding with the government to deliver skills training.

Companies interested in finding out more should contact Semta Customer Services on 0845 643 9001 or or visit www.semta.org.uk.