Commenting on the announcement, EEF Director General, Martin Temple, said:
"Our science and engineering skills are what will give us the competitive edge in the global economy of the future and the government is to be applauded for giving such a strong public endorsement. We would now urge them to bring forward concrete proposals at the earliest opportunity which will now turn this vision into reality."
In particular, EEF welcomed the joined up nature of the announcement involving a number of government departments and the drawing together of the results of a number of recent Sainsbury and Lambert reviews.
EEF also stressed the key to delivering this long term plan depended critically on the future supply of skills and the quality of science, engineering and mathematics teaching in schools and colleges.
"The success or failure of this strategy will depend largely on having the raw materials to carry it out. It is vital that we channel resources into schools and colleges to promote science and engineering and ensure that we have an adequate supply of the most talented young people entering the sector" added Mr Temple.