ELECTRONICS firms across Gwent have come out in support of a national call for action by the Department of Trade and Industry's Electronics Innovation and Growth Team (EIGT).

An EIGT report, Electronics 2015 - Making a Visible Difference, calls on government and business to address the shortage of skilled people joining the industry and encourages the development of the sector by collaboration.

Speaking at an event co-hosted by the Welsh Elect-ronics Forum and the Institute of Electrical Engineers, EIGT chairman David Kynaston said: "We have to start looking at ways in which we can co-operate better, improve our leadership skills and set up groups to deal with difficult EU legislation early on.

"We are asking the government to provide the right environment and tax regime and then allow industry to get on with its job."

According to Mr Kynaston, the technology industry has seen a dramatic shift over the past five years.

"In the UK over the period 1999 to 2003, we lost more than 100,000 technology jobs, 17% of our design engineers and nine per cent of design establishments.

"In addition to commoditisation and globalisation, our strategy beyond 2015 will have to take into account a highly fragmented, largely invisible industry which doesn't collaborate as it should and fails to punch its weight on those things that will ensure its future.

"If we continue as we are, the future for the technology industry will be as a bit player on a world stage."

Dr Drew Nelson, chairman of the Welsh Electronics Forum, said: "Despite the number of challenges facing the industry, the overall trend remains one of high growth.

"Wales has a number of globally significant technology companies, employing around 30,000 people and it's great to see the country (through Assembly initiatives) playing an active role in ensuring the future of the sector."