Engineering seen as a feeder course for careers outside the manufacturing sector

These views could mean a huge slump in the future engineering and manufacturing sector. A fifth of science teachers are said to be unaware of the prospects of an engineering degree/career and some describe them as ‘dirty’ and ‘boring’. The industry is keen to educate schools and students to ensure there are skilled workers for the future and the UK can keep up with the latest technologies.

The engineering industry employs 5.6 million people over 500k different businesses across the country. The sector generated a £1.15 trillion turnover for the financial year ending March 2010-nearly a quarter of all UK businesses.  Next year’s Olympics is a prime example of the work of the engineering sector and informing students of future career prospects similar to these could motivate them to consider the sector.

Users on the student room do not seem to shy away from Engineering degrees but many pursue one with the goal of entering other more interesting or better paid sectors:

‘Banks hire people from all different disciplines because graduates from different courses offer different views on problems. Studying an engineering degree will make you a good candidate for a role in an investment bank. Many of the large companies will give you a lot of training after you graduate anyway’

‘There are always people that go into IB from engineering. Often viewed as traitors to the profession but the money is tempting.’

The growing industry of engineering can only keep on thriving if the public can understand the diverse and interesting role that being an engineer in the 21^st century provides.

Challenging perceptions and educating as many people as possible about the prospects of engineering is essential, according to Engineering UK. The graduates of the future need to be equipped with strong foundations of knowledge in science and maths to keep up with the demands for engineers’  ever continuing emerging technologies. Teaching the technology and skill necessary behind the industry is hoped to spring interest in the future generation.

If you want to help educate young people on the benefits of engineering then The Student Room can help you get an Official Representative on the site. Call us on 0800 999 3222 for more information

See also:
Students lack the full knowledge of what different degrees can offer.

What causes graduates to reject their degree when looking for a career.