The status of the UK engineering profession remains pitifully low compared with that of our European counterparts, despite decades of campaigning by the institutions and successive governments. As a nation, we persist in referring to the man who comes round to fix our washing machines or erect our satellite TV receiver dishes as ‘engineers’. Is this for wont of a more appropriate title, or because we barely appreciate the true worth of this multi-faceted profession, simply lumping all those employed in work from the least technically challenging to that involving extraordinary ingenuity and innovation, within a single category?
I am old enough to remember and, as a relatively recent engineering graduate at the time, both appreciate and resonate with the groundbreaking report from Sir Monty Finniston: Engineering – Our Future: the Engineering Profession, which was published back in 1979. Commissioned two years before the first Thatcher government came to power, and eagerly awaited amid the systematic dismantling of our engineering industries by that government, this report precipitated the navel-gazing and hand-wringing that continues to the present day. And we appear to be no closer to a solution.
Steve Holliday, chief executive of National Grid is the latest to add his voice to the debate. In a statement issued from his office last week, he described the long-range forecast for a shortage of engineering and science skills as “one of the most serious issues” he faced as the chief executive of a FTSE top 20 company. “Engineers are at the heart of our business,” he said, “and we need a new generation who will drive forward the changes to bring about a low carbon economy.
His statement coincided with the publication of an important National Grid research report - Engineering Our Future - that looks at attitudes to engineering among young people, their parents and teachers. National Grid’s researchers talked to more than 1,500 people and the main findings are described as a real cause for concern, with engineering now perceived as an ‘invisible industry’, with six out of ten young people unable to name a recent engineering achievement. There is poor understanding about what engineers do and this leads to unhelpful stereotypes about the work being menial, dirty and physically demanding. What seems to follow is low appreciation of the contribution that engineers make to society. Mr Holliday again:
“Hearing that young people and their parents have such a negative image concerns me because our workforce planning points to the need for 1,000 new engineering roles in the run up to 2020 at a time when we are doing our part to achieve the UK government’s green agenda. Over the same period nearly one third of our workforce could retire. It’s clear that our policy of ‘growing our own’ through graduate and apprentice schemes just won’t fill the gap. We are going to need a bigger pool of talented engineers for the future – not a shrinking one.”
Once more, this beggars the perennial question: just how are we to turn around these negative perceptions and inspire young people to see engineering as an important, rewarding and secure career that is vital to the future of the country?
Science and Innovation minister, Lord Drayson agrees that there continues to be a shortfall of qualified engineers, despite the fact that youngsters are as fascinated as ever with the products of engineering and technology. He says the UK needs to build on existing initiatives to sustain that early enthusiasm and convey to young people the fact that engineering is responsible for the world around them.
Adding his endorsement to the current National Science and Engineering Competition for 11 to 18 year olds, the results of which will be announced next Spring, Lord Drayson called on high profile figures from the worlds of science, entertainment and business to join together in pledging their support by putting forward their own ‘If only’ ideas, to help highlight the endless possibilities of science and engineering. Budding young scientists and engineers who are already using science, technology, engineering and maths to make their ‘If only’ ideas come true could win a share in over £50,000 of competition prizes.
“Talented scientists and engineers are behind all of the greatest inventions and discoveries to date – much of which we now take for granted,” he said as he launched the ‘If only’ challenge. “Inspiring young people to become the UK’s future scientists and engineers, is not only essential to the UK’s future prosperity, but also to solving the wider issues that we as a society face; from climate change and disease, to caring for an ageing population through to strengthening our defence and security. It’s therefore something that I believe everyone needs to get behind, regardless of their interests.”
Meanwhile, National Grid is piloting a new programme called School Power – going into primary schools to excite children about how energy, forces and materials work. The company also hopes to build on the success of its Young Offender programme with a new project to help young people who may have the talent and desire to become engineers, but are disadvantaged or otherwise thwarted from their ambitions.
National Grid is also working with the Royal Academy of Engineering to create a blueprint for what a good work experience placement looks like. “It’s important to get this first point of contact with young people right, which is why we’re proud to sponsor Business in the Community’s (BITC’s) Work Inspiration campaign to get work experience working for young people,” says Mr Holliday. This initiative will be launched on September 15 by BITC chairman, Sir Stuart Rose, with a ‘Big Conversation’ event that takes place between 100 young people and 100 CEOs at Old Spitalfields Market in London.
“Engineers and scientists will be the people who solve the big challenges facing us all like energy sustainability and climate change,” says Mr Holliday. “It’s up to us now to inspire the next generation to take up these crucial challenges.”
Les Hunt
Editor