The first session of the inquiry was held on October 22, 2025
The UK's Transport Committee, a cross-party group of backbench MPs appointed by the House of Commons to carry out inquiries into the Department of Transport's policies held its first session of its new inquiry into the capability of Britain's transport manufacturing sectors and the skills required to help them excel
In addition, the Committee published written evidence submissions it received during its call for evidence.
In the first session, held on 22 October, MPs questioned academics and representatives of the aerospace, maritime, and motor vehicle industries to evaluate the evolving skills required by those sectors as they adopt new technologies and machinery.
The Committee also asked about the most acute skills shortages and how these shortages are forecast to develop in future years.
MPs were keen to hear how businesses could nurture the skills within their own workforces and supply chains, and whether Government reforms to the apprenticeship system will help.
Oral evidence was given first at 9:15 am by Matthew Ogg, head of Policy, Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders Limited (SMMT), Balaji Srimoolanathan, director of ADS Group Ltd, Tom Chant MBE, chief executive of Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), and Jamie Cater, senior policy manager, Make UK.
Followed at 10:15 am by Chris Brace, professor of Automotive Propulsion and executive director, IAAPS (Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems) at the University of Bath, Dr Benjamin Silverstone, associate professor and director, Warwick Manufacturing Group Skills Centre at the University of Warwick, and Oriel Petry, senior vice president, Airbus UK.
