Industry taking care of its own needs...

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS or "DTI" in old money) ran a showcase of British electronics early in December at 1 Victoria St., London. It was a great opportunity to exhibit to Ministers, civil servants, the passing public and the many visitors to the building. It illustrated some of the activity taking place in the UK which is largely hidden from sight as it only appears under the bonnet of the global brands' products - processors, graphics engines, communications etc.

We were delighted that the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) received a specific invite to be part of the showcase too. Why? you might ask... The answer points towards the future and the relationship that Government wants to have with industry. UKESF, although in its infancy, is a model programme because it is now led by industry with Government (and others) as a partner... it is not asking for large sums of money directly from Government only support in kind... where appropriate.

The ESCO (electronic systems challenges and opportunities) Report which will be published next year is working on the very same premise - i.e. our industry must take ownership of its own needs and consider Government a mere partner in helping to secure our own futures.