IET warns Government to reform rather than remove GSCE engineering course

Published:  05 September, 2014

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is warning that the Government proposal to remove GCSE engineering could make the skills crisis an even bigger cause of concern for UK employers.

The IET has already highlighted this to Ofqual following its proposals to streamline the number of GCSE courses in manufacturing, electronics and engineering as a result of low numbers of students studying the subjects.

Analysis of the 2014 GCSE results shows a 73% increase (5027 students in 2014 compared to 2897 in 2013) in students successfully studying GCSE engineering.

Paul Davies, IET head of policy commented: “It is imperative that GCSE engineering be reformed rather than removed.

“One of the reasons given for removing this subject is due to the low student numbers. However, the results published today show a large increase.

“GCSE engineering is widely recognised as a significant route to providing the crucial technical skills that young people need to succeed in industry. According to the IET Skills Survey, 44 per cent of engineering, IT and technical recruits do not meet the employer’s expected levels of skills.

“It is important to engage students with the discipline of engineering as early as possible. These subjects build on key skills applicable to many areas and develop a systems-thinking approach in addition to allowing for the application of mathematics.

Davies said it was unclear whether these skills will be adequately covered by the proposed Design and Technology syllabus, adding that the UK has a shortage of engineers and the removal of these subjects sent the wrong message about their importance to the UK’s economy: “We believe that rigorous, highly valued qualifications should exist in engineering and technology areas that will be vital to the nation’s future and that all education policy makers should seek to maximise the take up of these qualifications.”

The IET’s 2014 Engineering and Technology: Skills & Demand in Industry Annual Survey revealed that 59% of companies indicated concerns that a shortage of engineers would be a threat to their businesses.