UK announces campaign to inspire engineering jobs

The UK Government has announced a new campaign to inspire the next generation of engineers, including those needed to provide jobs within the energy sector. It has today pledged to […]

The UK Government has announced a new campaign to inspire the next generation of engineers, including those needed to provide jobs within the energy sector.

It has today pledged to work with hundreds of partners to offer a million “direct and inspiring” engineering experiences to young people throughout 2018, across the energy, technology, healthcare and transport industries.

Activities will include large outreach programmes, such as a £1 million investment from Shell to get thousands of schoolchildren interested in energy engineering.

The UK currently faces an estimated shortfall of 20,000 engineering graduates a year, with half of businesses expecting this to significantly impact upon their productivity and growth.

The scheme’s partners, which include Siemens, Ocado, Usborne, BAE Systems and Crossrail, also hope to widen demographics within the workforce, which is currently 91% male and 94% white.

Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark, said: “To ensure we have a high-skilled economy that is fit for the future, our industrial strategy is committed to helping people and businesses by boosting engineering and ensuring everyone has the skills needed to thrive in a modern economy.”

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