'Act now' to address engineers' low status, MPs told by IET

an article by Richard Wilson published in ElectronicsWeekly.com

The head of the professional engineering body, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), has told a committee of MPs that the British society’s lack of understanding of the role of engineering, and the value of engineering skills to the economy, needs to be addressed.

He said this must begin with better careers advice at schools.

“More work needs to be done to improve the public’s understanding of what engineering is and the diversity of engineering jobs and careers, including vocational routes and especially apprenticeships,” Nigel Fine, chief executive of the IET, told the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry into ‘Engineering Skills’.

According to Fine, if this is not addressed, there will be a worryingly small pipeline of young people going on to pursue technical careers, resulting in a continuing skills gap and negative consequences for the UK economy.

“Careers advice in the UK is very poor,” said Fine.

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