Institution responds to calls for changes to the exam system

Peter Finegold, Head of Education and Skills at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:

• Robert Halfon’s calls for changes to the exam system
  
  

  “One way of ensuring that more young people keep their options open for longer would be to introduce a broader baccalaureate – commonplace in most developed economies. The Institution has previously highlighted how the narrow ‘high stakes’ choice of three A-levels at aged 16 effectively means psychologically opting out of other subjects at 14 - often limiting future opportunity. Not only would Robert Halfon’s proposed changes benefit engineering, they would also ensure that young people made better choices leading to a fulfilling career in a whole range of sectors.”
  
  

• The publication of new data by the Department of Education showing that school girls in England are substantially less likely than boys to consider taking STEM subjects at A Level than boys
  
  “Our Never too late: profiling female engineering apprentices report shows women who choose engineering are more likely to be ‘accidental all-rounders’ who are more open to a range of career options and tend to make decisions later. This is an important consideration, for if we are to reach out to more young women to pursue a STEM career, we can’t only promote STEM to those who put the subjects at the absolute top of the list. We need to make it easier for girls who rank STEM as second or third favourite too.”

Notes to Editors

• For interview requests and queries contact the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Press Office on 020 7973 1261 or email media@imeche.org.
• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers was established in 1847 and has some of the world’s greatest engineers in its history books. It is one of the fastest growing professional engineering institutions. Headquartered in London, we have operations around the world and over 117,000 members in more than 140 countries working at the heart of the most important and dynamic industries such as the automotive, rail, aerospace, medical, power and construction industries.