The report, from the government’s Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills select committee, reports on the state of engineeering in the UK and its contribution to UK business and the economy.
Professor David Nethercot, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London, said:
“To those of us from within engineering it comes as no surprise to read:
,’…Engineering is one of the UK’s great strengths…UK engineering and engineers
,are highly regarded internationally, more than they are at home’;
nor is it surprising to read how engineering is insufficiently appreciated and utilised in Government, that the engineering necessary to transform discoveries into profits is inadequately supported, or that Government is slow to appreciate and support new engineering opportunities. But it is a real concern.
“More and better use of our world class engineers, recognising that they have the potential to enhance our wealth and improve our lives to a far greater degree than the lawyers, accountants, policy wonks and social advisers whose influence traditionally holds sway in UK corridors of power comes across as the central message. If only we could believe it.”
Sir Anthony Cleaver, Chairman of the Engineering and Technology Board and co-patron of The Big Bang, said:
“The IUSS report correctly identifies the crucial role of engineering in building and maintaining the world around us, particularly in the current economic climate. It is therefore imperative that the engineering community works together with Government, education providers, business and industry, to provide re-training opportunities in growth sectors such as nuclear and renewable engineering, for all those in need of work. A skilled and adaptable population is essential to improving the UK’s competitiveness and to meeting industry’s demand for skilled workers.”
Professor Dave Delpy, Chief Executive of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), said:
“This snapshot of the engineering profession shows a healthy picture today, but for how long will this be the case? I hear clear alarm bells in this report. We need to get our best engineers into the media, so they can become role models for young people. We must inspire the next generation to become engineers to sustain the flow of talent we need to keep high value engineering alive in the UK.”
Tom Foulkes, Director General of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), said:
“I welcome the IUSS select committee report on engineering, which has identified many significant issues. In particular ICE is pleased to see a call for more engineering expertise within the civil service.
“Without engineers infrastructure can be neither built nor maintained. That is why we have long called for the creation of the post of Chief Engineering Adviser, and we are delighted that the select committee is recommending that government should make this appointment.
“It is also heartening to see the committee recommending that engineering advice should be sought at the start of the policy-making process. In vital areas such as transport, energy, water and waste, seeking engineering advice only once policy has been set leads to missed opportunities and extra costs.
“The proposed ‘road map’ for all major engineering projects is another initiative that should be pursued vigorously by the government. Defining what skills are required over time, where capacity will be needed, sorting procurement issues and outlining who is responsible for delivering which parts of the map will ensure major projects are able to be delivered successfully.
“ICE is keen work with all other engineering bodies, coordinated by the Royal Academy of Engineering, to present a united front to government which enables our skills and knowledge to be communicated effectively.”
Brian Robinson, Head of Energy at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), said:
“One of the key issues this report highlights is the urgent need for drastic action to recruit, train and simply find engineers. IMechE believes there are several key areas where we need engineering skills from renewables, carbon capture and storage, building and refurbishment and nuclear. The nuclear industry alone currently employs around 50,000 people and we need to be attracting between 5,000-9,000 new graduates over the next 10 years, just to maintain current demand — excluding new build. “The Government has a role to play in recruiting young people to the industry and money should be invested in bridging that communication gap. Engineers will need to be trained so decommissioning and new build programmes can take place, and if we cannot find the engineers then importing them from abroad — at a costly expense — is our only option.
IMechE has been saying we are in desperate need of engineers in these areas for years. I am pleased however, that our recommendations to the report in these areas have been fully incorporated into the report.”
John Brindley, Business and Innovation Director at the Institute of Physics, said:
“The Committee’s report highlights a need to focus Government efforts on catalysing the growth of science-based businesses in the UK. We agree that Government mechanisms need to be enhanced if the potential of the plastic electronics engineering industry, a disruptive industry that offers the chance to globally pioneer revolutionary display technologies, from computers and televisions to billboards and even newspapers, is not to be missed. The UK physicists who are making the breakthroughs have created a nascent industry that can spur massive financial growth once the recession softens, if nurtured correctly now. Plastic electronics is just one of many similar industries stemming from research in physics and engineering.
“As one of the other four engineering case studies investigated in the report, the problem of a nuclear skills shortage could not be more timely. There is a dire human resource supply chain problem. The recruitment pool in the UK will not support the anticipated and hoped-for growth unless more students are encouraged to take physics up to at least A-level. We cannot continue to rely on imported skills as countries like China, India and Russia all embark on their own new-build programmes and there will be intense international competition for skills for new nuclear build and decommissioning.”
Chris Earnshaw, President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said:
“The IET is the leading voice for engineers with 150,000 members and we are pleased to see that parliamentarians have grasped the difference between science and engineering. The major challenges we face, such as global warming, will only be resolved by the skill and expertise of engineers and it is imperative that this is at the very heart of Government.
“We would like to see more investment into engineering qualifications at the Engineering Technician (EngTech) level as this is vitally important in securing the next generation of engineers and subsequently the country’s future prosperity. We sincerely hope the findings of this report become a reality not just fine words that are filed and forgotten.”
Dr Tim Fox, Head of Environment and Climate Change at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:
“While we are delighted that our recommendations have been accepted into areas of the report (geo-engineering), there is still a woeful lack of timely communication between engineers and policy makers. The report states the clear lack of engineering advice in Government policy which I would absolutely agree with. We must have engineers involved at the strategic planning stage of policy on areas such as climate change mitigation, adaptation and geo-engineering. This has not happened and is not happening. One would hope that such a lengthy report will now produce some positive steps to rectify this.
“Our ‘Climate Change: Adaption’ report (published in January 2009) highlights the urgent need for Government to take action on areas such as water, transport, settlements and key assets including power stations and energy. We are talking about urgent projects that should involve engineers at every level and every part of the process; yet there is no regulatory or legislative framework in place for engineers to work to. Geo-engineering and adaptation are crucial to combating climate change, as such projects could ultimately save human society.”