Poll finds engineers are Britain’s second most trusted profession

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Out of a list of 26 different professions, engineers are the second most trusted in Great Britain according to the results of the latest Ipsos Veracity Index, an annual poll that has measured the trustworthiness of professions in Britain since 1983.

According to the study – which is based on telephone interviews carried out in October with 1,015 British adults - 90 per cent of people across the country trust engineers to tell the truth, putting them just behind nurses (94 per cent) and just ahead of doctors (88 per cent)

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) worked with the 2024 Ipsos Veracity Index to include engineering for the sixth year running.

Engineers have recorded similar levels of trust in previous years, including a score of 89 per cent in 2020, whilst this year’s study saw them rise from fourth place (with a score of 85 per cent) in 2023.

Trust in engineers is almost equal across genders, with just a four-percentage point difference between men and women. Despite this, only 15.7% of engineers identify as women, something which the IET hopes to address through various campaigns and initiatives, including its upcoming Young Woman Engineer (YWE) of the Year Awards. 

Titi Oliyide, current IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year, said: “Engineers play a central role in everyday life, contributing to advancing the world around us and finding solutions to the global challenges we as a society face. It’s fantastic to see that nine in 10 people across the country trust engineers, demonstrating the huge level of professionalism and importance of engineers in the UK.

“The last couple of years have highlighted more than ever the vital role engineers play in developing technology and rapid processes, to keep our infrastructure and economy running.

“This recognition of trust by the public is a welcome boost to all those in industry, academia and our communities working together to address the shortfall of engineers and amplifies our duty to lead and innovate responsibly for the betterment of our planet and society.”

At the bottom of the trust league are: politicians (11 per cent ), government ministers (15 per cent), advertising executives (16 per cent ) and journalists (27 per cent).

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