IET Launch Power Electronics Growth Initiative, PowerelectronicsUK

Power Electronics is vital to the UK economy and its international competitiveness, but suffers from a serious skills shortage and a maturing supply chain. Globally, the sector is worth £135 billion, but a lack of engineers and technicians in the talent pipeline is threatening the UK from sustaining this leading position.

The new forum is launched as a direct result of the influential strategy document ‘Power Electronics: A Strategy for Success’, which was developed with input from the Technology Strategy Board, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

The importance of Power Electronics to the UK is reflected in the fact that David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities and Science, attended the forum launch.

Steve Burgin, IET Trustee and Chairman of PowerelectronicsUK said: “Power Electronics is at the heart of everyday life – from our laptops and mobile phones to our cars, trains, planes, energy networks and power stations. That means Power Electronics engineers are behind the way our lives work – and vital to our future as well. Without power electronics engineers, Britain will have no smart grid, no offshore wind farms, and the economy as a whole will suffer.”

A new website has been launched to serve as a home for the Power Electronics community, which is now available at www.power-electronics.org.uk.