Forum organiser highlights key absentees

The UK Design Innovation Conference was an open discussion on subjects such as encouraging younger people into engineering and addressing skills shortage issues. Headed by Harry Tee, chairman of the Electronics Leadership Council, the event, one of the highlights of NEW, was poorly attended and Mayo was keen to point out who he considered key absentees. Mayo told New Electronics: "Neither the IET nor Intellect attended the conference and, while it seems that they are more than happy to lobby for more recruits, they couldn't be bothered to attend a forum designed as a platform for their members." The panel was chosen by Mayo to represent the widest possible industry viewpoints and included Huvin Thompson from ABB, Nick Kings from Ericsson and Valerie Thorn from AND Technology Research. Mayo explained that the themes were kept 'woolly' to allow maximum scope for discussion. However, the poor attendances left Mayo disappointed, but hopeful. "There is a worrying lack of support for the problem of skills shortages within the UK," Mayo observed. "I have just 12 members of staff, so why is the government leaving it to people such as me to organise an event such as this? However, it's important that we remain optimistic and we shall focus on the positives, and push for the media and government to highlight the issues raised."