2018 is the year of engineering

Engineering bosses have joined forces with the Government to make 2018 the Year of Engineering to inspire the next generation of engineers.

Bosses from some of the UK’s biggest businesses, including Steve Wadey, Chief Executive of Worcester-based Qinetiq, Andy Milner, Chief Executive of Oxford-based Amey Pld and Katherine Bennett of Bristol-based Airbus have pledged to encourage everyone to take a close look at engineering, challenge stereotypes associated with the career and showcase the sector properly. In an open letter, the 20 bosses are calling on others to join them.

Engineering is one of the most productive sectors in the UK, but a shortfall of 20,000 engineering graduates every year is damaging growth. There is also widespread misunderstanding of engineering among young people and their parents, and a lack of diversity in the sector – the workforce is 91% male and 94% white, according to the Government.

Activities throughout the year will include Sir James Dyson continuing to invest in inspiring young engineers by providing opportunities to apply engineering principles to projects that solve real world problems. Schools will get the chance to go behind the scenes at Airbus to meet engineers working on the Mars Rover and Thales in the UK will be inspiring inventors of the future with robot clubs in primary schools.

For more information www.yearofengineering.gov.uk