Engineering needs higher profile in schools say academics

UK engineering academics have called for a higher profile for the subject in schools to help to “tackle labour shortfalls and to meet the need to find environmental solutions.”

A poll by New Model Institute for Technology (NMITE) and the Engineering and the Engineering Professors’ Council (EPC) found that 63% of respondents felt that engineering should be made more visible in schools.

NMITE said the finding “emphasises the importance of raising awareness of engineering as a career choice,” because many school leavers are either “unaware it’s an option, think they must have maths and science qualifications to be considered, or see it as a career path just for certain types of people.”

Chief executive at NMITE, James Newby, said: “This is not a finger pointing exercise targeted at schools; it’s important that the national curriculum reflects the diversity of careers available to school leavers within STEM.

“It’s about putting engineering on their radar and changing perceptions that engineering is only for boys, or for those who excel at maths for example… the old stereotypes don’t apply.”

Chief Executive of the EPC, Johnny Rich, said: “The UK has a skills shortage in engineering running into tens of thousands every year. Without plugging that gap, we cannot hope to address the environmental, technological, economic and social challenges we face and that many young people care passionately about. But you cannot be what you cannot see.”

The poll included an open-ended question on the gender gap in the engineering workforce, which revealed concerns about barriers for women because the sector was male-dominated; off-putting workplace attitudes and culture; inflexible working patterns and a lack of accommodation for family commitments were all still present.

The survey also found that 60% of respondents felt that making “engineer” a restricted professional title in the UK, as it is in many other countries, could elevate the status of the profession.