Published today (1 September) in partnership with careers platform Unifrog, The Future is Engineering: What Young People Really Think reveals the growing importance of digitalisation and automation in engineering, with AI undergraduate degrees bucking a “broadly stable” trend across engineering to grow 85% over the last five years. Software engineering also grew by 61%.
“Major growth” is likely to continue in AI and other emerging sectors such as biotechnology, according to the report. It highlighted biomedical engineering as one of the fastest-growing disciplines, driven by an ageing population, healthcare innovation and advances in medical technology.
Based on anonymised Unifrog data from thousands of 14- to 16-year-olds, the research showed girls overtaking boys in interest in biomedical engineering, with 1.24% interested compared with 1.09%. “The gender gap is disappearing in future-focused areas such as biomedical engineering and biotechnology,” the report’s executive summary said, indicating that more girls are recognising engineering as a career that combines science, healthcare, digital technology and innovation rather than traditional industrial roles.
“Engineering is changing, and young people are changing with it. The stereotype that engineering is only about engines, factories and hard hats is disappearing,” said Matthew Rooney, head of engineering policy and impact at IMechE.
“Today’s engineers are designing life-saving medical devices, developing artificial intelligence, transforming healthcare and tackling some of society’s biggest challenges. It’s encouraging to see more girls recognising that engineering offers exciting careers where they can make a real difference.
“While there is still much more to do to close the overall gender gap, these findings show the future of engineering is becoming broader, more diverse and more appealing than ever before.”
Analysis of Unifrog’s platforms, used by thousands of young people researching their education and career choices, showed that engineering is one of the UK’s most popular subject areas, ranking third overall and continuing to grow in popularity. Aerospace is the most popular engineering sector, with mechanical engineering coming in a close second.
Engineering students are less driven by fame or prestige than their peers, the research found, with 12% saying fame motivated them, compared with 20% of other students. They instead place greater value on practical experience, employer engagement and understanding their future career opportunities. Engineering-minded pupils are also more likely to engage with employers, attend careers events and visit universities (37%, compared with 24% of other students), according to a Unifrog survey.
The persistent issue of gender imbalance was highlighted in the report, with women only making up 20% of the engineering undergraduate population. Biomedical engineering and associated subjects could change that, however. “Rising demand in this sector could encourage more women into engineering roles, creating a more diverse engineering profession. Salaries are relatively high in the bioengineering sector and sector expansion offers a level of job security, both factors highlighted by young people as important in choosing a future career,” the report said.
Elsewhere, analysis of Unifrog’s apprenticeships search tool found that the gender split has been widening, primarily driven by boys becoming increasingly interested in vehicle, mechanical, and electrical and electronic engineering.
“The evidence suggests that engineering already has strong appeal among young people. The challenge is no longer simply attracting interest, but ensuring that the profession continues to broaden its appeal, particularly to girls, while improving awareness and image of disciplines facing perception problems such as civil engineering and manufacturing,” the report said.
Civil engineering has seen a 10% reduction in new undergraduate enrolments in the last five years – a potential concern for the sector, given its increasing importance in upgrading the country’s transport, energy and water infrastructure to deliver net zero and adapt to rising temperatures.
Aimed at school pupils aged 13 to 16, IMechE’s Virtual Work Experience programme provides an insight into the engineering profession and the critical role of mechanical engineers in addressing global challenges. By participating in the programme, young people can find out what mechanical engineers do, what skills they need and what opportunities are available.
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.