Majority of UK public would encourage young people towards careers in engineering

A poll of a cross-section of UK residents found more people would encourage a young person to become an engineer than a doctor, accountant or banker.

An Institution poll of a representative cross-section of 1,000 members of the public found that 86% would encourage a young person to become an engineer.

Of the four options offered, engineering was the most popular at 86%, with 80% saying they would encourage a young person to become a doctor, 56% an accountant, and just 36% who said they would encourage a young person to become a banker.

Peter Finegold, the Institution’s Head of Education and Skills, said: “The results of this poll are both encouraging and surprising. We face a shortfall of 30,000 qualified engineers every year coming through our education system. 

“This result suggests however that basic demand is there and that the public already has some understanding of the extraordinarily diverse and valuable careers available in engineering.

“Getting more young people into engineering isn’t just about helping people to pursue exciting careers, but about ensuring the UK has the right skills to enable the country to prosper.

“Much more needs to be done to ensure we get the growth in UK engineers this country needs, through better careers advice, establishing better links between schools and local employers, and a fundamental rethink in the education system to boost Science Engineering Technology and Maths (STEM) education in schools.”

The poll is released ahead of the Institution’s new research set for release later this year called Big Ideas in Engineering Education, which looks at radical new thinking to boost the number of people pursuing STEM careers. The report is based on findings of an international seminar run together with the Royal Academy of Engineering, with leading educationalists working in schools, academia and industry.

ICM Unlimited carried out the survey of 1,007 people for the Institution.

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