About MetSkill

MetSkill is the national strategic sector body representing and supporting the skills and development needs of employers throughout all sub-sectors of the metals sector. Our aim and role is to underpin the development of workforce skills to achieve long term, measurable improvement in business performance in the UK metals sector.

The UK Metals Sector

The metals sector is a crucial component of the UK's manufacturing supply chain, comprising 16,500 companies that employ 350,000 people. It is one of the most efficient and productive metals industries world-wide, yet increasingly pressures from foreign imports, a strong pound and declining UK manufacturing industry mean that it must continue to cut costs and improve productivity to remain competitive.

The need to further improve productivity and raise the capability of our workforce is now a year on year imperative; standing still is not an option. MetSkill's role is to assist companies to make these changes and improve performance.

Key metals industry facts

• In 2000 over 16 million tonnes of steel, aluminium and other non-ferrous metals were produced in the UK
  
  
• metals supply directly contributes £20bn to UK GDP (2.5%)
  
  
• 50% output is exported to 200 countries worldwide
  
  
• 85% of businesses export to Europe
  
  
• metals supply makes a significant contribution to UK balance of payments
  
  
• worldwide metals supply is expected to increase 1-1 ½ per annum over the next 20 years and specific growth forecast within the UK