23rd March 2018

YoE: inspiring the next generation

As part of our ongoing participation in the UK Government’s Year of Engineering, we are focusing our attention on this month’s theme: ‘Routes into Engineering’.

With over 70 years’ experience in the industry, we have nurtured the careers of many incredibly talented engineers throughout the practice’s history. To this day, we are proud to continue to foster a culture in which young people can see engineering as a rewarding professional path.

Unfortunately, amongst policy makers and educators there prevails a conception that you need to be a STEM-driven boffin to pursue engineering as a profession. Of course, we all know a good mathematical mind is important, but it’s much more than that which makes a great engineer. Qualities such as imagination and creativity should be championed.

One of our directors, Steve McSorley, recently contributed to an article in education resource Tes. From their perspective, you need to inspire early, but also engage with both teachers and parents to ensure a healthy stream of candidates, vital for the future welfare of the industry.

Here are Steve’s potted thoughts on how to capture the hearts and minds of the next generation:

“I think greater interaction between schools, colleges and the engineering profession would help. Get professionals to come into schools and talk to staff and students. There are already various STEM Ambassadors, but they are usually retired. Young people relate to younger people as role models. They see them as relevant to them. Most STEM Ambassadors are older.

“Schools also need to make time for staff to learn about the profession and there needs to be a wider link between professional institutions and schools. At present, there has not been a concerted enough effort to reach the hearts and minds of both teachers and pupils.

“There’s a systematic problem that lower level skills are associated with engineering such as working in a factory or machine shop. Parental and teacher influence plays a role in nurturing this negative view.

“If the younger generation see engineering as a positive force in society and an attractive career path, they are more likely to be interested in it. Unfortunately many see it as getting dirty and wearing overalls. This needs to change.

“Hopefully the Year of Engineering will prove just the catalyst we need to engage and encourage the UK’s youth to choose a career path in our sector!”