UK suffers yearly 59,000 engineering shortfall
- 13/09/2019
- Posted by: Alan Feldberg
- Category: News
More than three quarters of 11-19-year-olds don’t understand what engineers do, making it one of the most poorly understood STEM careers.
This is according to research from EngineeringUK.
The UK has an annual shortfall of 59,000 engineers, with research finding that 52% of 11-19-year-olds ‘probably or definitely’ don’t want to become an engineer.
However, the world is increasingly being shaped by engineers in industries such as renewable energy, cyber security, software developers and analysts in virtual reality, and innovators providing access to water in developing regions.
With an ambition to turn engineering from one of the most poorly understood, to one of the best understood and in-demand careers, the Royal Academy of Engineering is launching This is Engineering Day on the 6 November as part of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week. This is Engineering Day is a new national awareness day to increase understanding of what an engineer is and to celebrate the roles that will contribute to shaping our futures.
Hayaatun Sillem, chief executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said, ‘Engineering and technology play an incredible role in shaping the world around us and in addressing some of society’s biggest challenges, from providing a sustainable supply of food, water and clean energy, to advancing healthcare, and keeping us safe and secure. We know that young people increasingly want to tackle these issues and make a difference in the world, but unfortunately the lack of understanding around engineering is stopping them from exploring careers that will enable them to do this.
‘This matters because we face an estimated shortfall of up to 59,000 engineers each year in the UK, and there is a pressing need to diversify our engineering workforce since only 12% of professional engineers are female and less than nine per cent are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. That’s why we’re making 6 November This is Engineering Day, to raise awareness of what an engineer is and celebrate those that are shaping the world we live in.’
