THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009CAREERS INThe Daily Telegraph IN ASSOCIATION WITHjobs.telegraph.co.ukJ 3EngineeringThursday, May 7, 2009 jobs.telegraph.co.uk/caProduced byTelegraph Special ReportsVital cogsThe nation is in urgent need of young men and women with flair in the technical sphere to safeguard its future. Report by Thea JourdanWhile many new graduates worry about their job prospects, people who are about to complete their degrees in engineering can look forward to careers in a robust sector. “I can hardly think of a better time to be an engineer,” says Philip Greenish, chief executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering. “It has always been important, but there is a new respect for the field post-credit crunch. The recession has focused attention back on engineering in a very dramatic way.” Nigel Whitehead, group managing director at BAE Systems Programmes and Support and recently appointed Skills Commissioner at the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, says: “Every aspect of modern societydepends on the contribution of engineering — be it energy, transportation, construction, security, media or communications. This will only continue as we seek to address the complex challenges facing the world. A vibrant engineering sector fuels the UK economy and helps to ensure the future competitiveness of British industry.” Policy-makers are sitting up and taking note. The Government recently published a report, “Engineering: turning ideas into reality”, by the House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee, which highlighted the fact that engineering innovation will be key in lifting the country out of recession. The Government could soon appoint its own chief engineer to help ensure that policies are translated into reality. BothGreenish and Whitehead welcome the move. “Engineering should be given more prominence in government to reflect its importance to the economy. The appointment of a chief engineer would clearly demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the sector,” says Whitehead. The opportunities for engineers are vast, and growing. They don’t just design bridges and roads, they also specialise in a whole range of areas from medical innovation to IT software, wind farm design and even lunar landing craft. The aerospace industry is a major recruiter, as is the energy sector. One third of the‘There is new respect for engineering post-credit crunch’members of the Energy Institute are engineers by trade, according to Sarah Beacock, professional affairs director of the EI. “Energy is such a key issue and requires a multi-disciplinary approach, with engineers at the fore,” she says. “There are many exciting opportunities for people who want to work in this sector.” Renewables is also a thriving province, particularly appealing to young graduates. But engineers are in demand in the nuclear power industry, too. “There is an incredibly important job to be done helping to decommission existing plants and rebuild those of the future,” says Beacock. Thepublication Engineering UK estimates that by 2022, the country will need 40,000 more nuclear engineers. At the moment, demand far outstrips supply. Much has been done to try to reverse the shortage and to encourage more people to take up the profession. The effort starts with primary school children — for the last few years, for example, BAE Systems has run its own nationwide schools road show, highlighting the vital role of science and technology in everyday life. A new engineering diploma, piloted in England last year, should also help attract young people. In the past many have chosen “softer options”, dropping maths and science subjects at 16 or even earlier. Now they can focus on engineering between the ages of 14 and 19.JOBS THAT LEAVE THE RAT RACE FAR BEHIND WHO SAID ENGINEERING WAS DULL? J4HOW GRADUATES CAN STEAL A MARCH ON THEIR PEERS INTERVIEW WITH THE ETB CHAIRMAN: J5BIG-HITTERS HEAD FOR ABERDEEN POW-WOW ALL -ENERGY’09: J6ISTOCKPHOTO
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009CAREERS INThe Daily Telegraph IN ASSOCIATION WITHjobs.telegraph.co.ukJ 3EngineeringThursday, May 7, 2009 jobs.telegraph.co.uk/caProduced byTelegraph Special ReportsVital cogsThe nation is in urgent need of young men and women with flair in the technical sphere
J 4jobs.telegraph.co.ukTHURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN ENGINEERING PEOPLEThe Daily TelegraphFor the love of the job Life can be full of challenge and creativity with tangible benefits for others, too. Four engineers tell Natasha Mann what’s so good about what they do MALCOLM RICHA
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009jobs.telegraph.co.ukJ 5The Daily TelegraphOPPORTUNITIES CAREERS IN ENGINEERINGWhere the work is Sir Anthony Cleaver is chairman of the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB). Here he talks to Lisa Sewards about the sector’s increasing demand for new talent in
J 6jobs.telegraph.co.ukTHURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN ENGINEERING ALL-ENERGY’09The Daily TelegraphSun rises on a new generation The All-Energy exhibition and conference is growing in significance as the search for renewable power intensifies, says Thea JourdanABERDEEN EXHIBITION
