However, the UK needs more engineers. Engineering companies will require 182,000 people per year with engineering skills in the decade to 2022 but there is a current annual shortfall of 55,000 skilled workers.
A strong British engineering sector is vital to the long term sustainability of our economic recovery
Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “A strong British engineering sector is vital to the long term sustainability of our economic recovery, and increasing the supply of engineers is at the heart of this. In Government, we’re working hard to make sure we have the skills we need in 2022 and beyond, but we need to work with industry to make sure we inspire the engineers of tomorrow, today.”
EngineeringUK has made a call for collaborative action across government, engineering businesses, the education sector and the wider engineering community to realise recommendations including:
- A doubling of the number of young people studying GCSE physics as part of triple sciences.
- A two-fold increase in the number of Advanced Apprenticeship achievements.
- Either a doubling of the number of engineering graduates or a 50% increase in the number of engineering and technology and other related STEM as well as non-STEM graduates who are known to enter engineering companies.
- Provision of careers inspiration for all 11-14 year olds.
- Support for teachers and careers advisors delivering careers information
The Engineering UK 2015 The State of Engineering (#EngUK15) report is available from www.engineeringuk.com
