The UK is lacking personnel in civil, structural, building services, mechanical and electrical engineering and need a relaxatrion of work permit regulations, according to the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE).

In discussions with the Border and Immigration Agency, ACE chief executive Nelson Ogunshakin, said: "Along with healthcare and teaching, the current skills shortages list makes note of engineering as a key area for which work permit regulations should be lowered, but more disciplines need to be added immediately to address the short-term challenges facing the industry. Until we manage to reverse the trend of decreasing numbers of engineering graduates coming through our own education system we must find an alternative source of high-calibre professionals. Only in this way can we ensure the already acute skills shortages in the engineering sector do not reach crisis proportions.

He added: "We have made our concerns known to the Border and Immigration Agency. We understand that this is not the only solution to the problem, but it is at least part of the solution and will ensure the short-term viability of consultancy and engineering firms, who base their entire value on the quality of their staff."

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