Industrial strategy requires change in attitudes

Published:  16 June, 2009

The Engineering and Technology Board (ETB)'s preliminary Engineers and Engineering Brand Monitor (EEBM) reveals that dramatic change of attitude is required to get the best and brightest students into engineering and fulfil the Government"s New Industry, New Jobs: Building Britain's Future plan for the future of the UK Economy.

While welcoming the report on increasing industrial investment and production, to restore economic stability and balance in the UK, the ETB has pointed out that significant action needs to be taken to provide the necessary education and skills, with only 7% of careers advisors and lecturers saying they would currently recommend a career in engineering to their brightest students.

The ETB research illustrates that young people and their influencers must be much better informed about the benefits of engineering careers if Britain is to produce enough high quality engineers and engineering technicians to meet the skills requirements of the National Policy Statements on Infrastructure, The Manufacturing Strategy and The Creative Industries Strategy outlined in the report.