The UK faces a major skills challenge: Engineering UK estimates that the UK is short of 59,000 engineers each year. Only 12% of professional engineers are women and only 9% are from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background. (BAME)
A major barrier to attracting more young people into the profession is deeply rooted cultural perceptions of engineering as narrow, mechanical, too technical and dull; a perception that’s being reinforced online. Search results offer a very narrow view of the profession, one that supports stereotypical ideas that engineering only happens in hard hats and on construction sites. Images lack diversity, not only in the faces of the people but in the disciplines of engineering roles represented.
Today is This is Engineering day and marks the start of a campaign which seeks to change the perception of the profession and to demonstrate the diversity and variety of the engineering sector.
Not all engineers look like you would imagine! Check out the awesome videos on YouTube and visit the This is Engineering campaign. #ThisisEngineering
The School of Engineering and Digital Arts recognises the challenges that affect women and men entering the engineering profession and we are committed to addressing these issues to maximise the potential of all.