Brexit 'chaos' and climate challenges: The expert outlook on 2019

As we look back on the Year of Engineering, we ask industry experts and members for their hopes and predictions for 2019.

"I would expect to see a start to commercial manned space flights to the International Space Station and for tourism, and further steps toward electric cars and aircraft."
Dr Adam K Preece

"The results of the exit from Europe are a great unknown but it is unlikely that leaving will do engineering any good. Particular fears are foreign-owned companies pulling back into Europe, examples of which could be Nissan, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Bosch and many smaller subsidiary businesses. It is impossible to predict, but we live in hope of a sufficiently ‘soft’ exit from Europe."
Ian Morris, Chair of the Mechatronics, Informatics and Control Group, IMechE

"I predict that the engineering profession will continue to quietly go about its business as usual. At some point there will be a resurgence of the debate about the definition of an engineer, then that will fade away again. There will be considerable technological developments, which will go largely unnoticed by a public more interested in mobile phones and coffee. I think that more youngsters will join the profession via apprenticeships."
J Turner

"Engineers, wherever they can, drive the theme of sustainability – repair, reuse, recycle. Throwaway mindsets need to go. I cannot see the world functioning without plastics, but they do not need to be killing our ecosystem – we need projects to help reverse the trends before it is too late."
David Waters

"I’d like to see a sensible conclusion to Brexit that delivers friction-free trade, thereby preventing damage to the UK manufacturing industry."
Kieran Eatough

"We may start to see a move to change the predictive-grade university application process as well as unconditional university offer – both of which are seen to work against talented, disadvantaged young people. Independent schools expressed concerns that unconditional offers act as a disincentive to students so that they get out of the habit of study – and suffer once they start their university courses."
Peter Finegold, IMechE Head of Education

"Dealing with the aftermath of Brexit will take a lot of effort, especially for engineers involved with international supply chains. I hope against hope the UK stays in the EU."
Les Pook

"I would like to see post-Brexit tax breaks for engineering training at all levels – from apprenticeships to degree study and CPD. This will help build a UK engineering community for the future."
Professor David H Nash, University of Strathclyde

"I hope to see expansion of demonstration sites for technologies like carbon capture and storage and industrial hydrogen systems, and greater emphasis on solutions for resource management, recycling supply chains for manufacture, and solutions to reduce plastics in the global environment."
Dr Jen Baxter, IMechE Head of Engineering

"Current prediction: chaos and redundancies. Hope to see: continued growth, recognition of engineering, more advanced engineering and exciting projects."
Ben

"I fear ill health in a previously strong automotive industry, worsening skills gaps (and stress for international colleagues) if the UK imposes short-sighted working visa requirements, and a narrowing of my opportunities if it becomes more difficult to work outside the UK. I hope that my fears are unfounded and we see strong global leadership to share knowledge and find solutions to humankind’s challenges to improve lives."
A Arnold

"I foresee greater opportunity for engineers after Brexit, as Europe need our skills as much as we need them." David Mee

"I predict a reduction in access to European job opportunities in professional roles for UK engineers. Protectionism and isolation will remove the likelihood of young engineers gaining training experience in Europe. The major UK institutions need to discuss damage limitation with European counterparts now."
Andy Hares

"There will be advances in fuel-cell-based ‘range extenders’ for electric vehicles that can be configured for a variety of fuel sources. Coupled with increasing capacity for storing electricity (from renewable sources) and producing ‘green hydrogen’, we will see a steady uptake of new-build electric and hybrid vehicles."
Jonathan Cox