Engineering news
Here are the five most-read Professional Engineering education stories of 2022. Click on the links throughout to read the full stories.
Engineering diversity the key to tackling global challenges
At first, the year’s most-read piece might not seem like an education story. Engineering must become more diverse to rapidly tackle the “huge” societal challenges facing the world, said the government’s chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance at the IMechE headquarters in January. But that diversity can only be achieved with a shift in engineering education.
“Clearly it isn’t something that government can solve, the government can do certain things but this is a societal issue,” said Sir Patrick. “You ask any child about those global challenges and they want them to be sorted out, they’re interested in it and they want to see a solution… I think we’ve all got to work to get this right, to get teachers and others encouraging as many to get into this field and into science.”
Are engineering degrees fit for purpose?
University degrees are the starting point for countless rewarding engineering careers. They provide a constant flow of graduates into the world of work, eager to make a living in the diverse sectors that form the industry – but their current state is far from perfect, and businesses looking to hire new talent can be disappointed with what they find. We asked Christian Young, vice-chair of the IMechE education and skills strategy board, where the problems arise and how they might be fixed.
Virtual work experience reveals the varied world of engineering
Engineering experts from the worlds of Formula One, healthcare, rail and other sectors showed students the richness and variety of engineering careers during a two-week virtual work experience programme. Created in response to the detrimental effect of Covid-19 on work experience opportunities, the IMechE Springpod programme showed almost 1,000 pupils how engineers are working to combat global challenges and explained how they can also join the profession.
What you need to know about engineering T-Levels
Engineering and manufacturing T-Levels launched in September, providing a new path towards the world of work for 16- to 19-year-old students. Lydia Amarquaye, professional development and education policy advisor at the IMechE, explained what you need to know about the new industry-focused qualifications.
Government urged to tackle ‘shocking’ skills shortage
Over 150 engineering leaders and well-known personalities, including Major Tim Peake, Carol Vorderman MBE, and representatives from Rolls-Royce and the MOD, urged the government to tackle the UK’s skills shortage by embedding engineering into the national curriculum.
“Subjects like science and maths are eagerly taught in schools, but connecting them to engineering – the link between these subjects, their purpose and application to the world in which we live – is not currently being made clear,” said David Lakin, head of education at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.