National Engineering Day is an initiative that recognises the impact of engineers in society, drawing attention to their role in innovation and problem solving in the industry. This year’s awareness day on November 13, 2024, focused on celebrating influential role models who inspire future engineers by showcasing the varied and exciting career paths in the field.
However, recent studies indicate that the engineering sector stands at a critical juncture, facing a pressing need to boost workforce skills and broaden diversity to address the UK’s talent gap and support industry growth. As the sector continues to evolve, it will be crucial for leaders to identify strategies to attract and retain top talent.
Technology and AI’s role in revolutionising the industry
Technology and AI can play an important role in making sure the engineering industry is innovative and overcomes its challenges. According to Adrian Negoita, CTO & co-founder, Dexory, the future of the industry depends on how we use cutting edge technologies like AI and robotics. Introducing automation and streamlining the industry could help turn the tide - it would help to close the ever widening skills gap and build a resilient supply chain once and for all. Collaboration between employees and robotics would have a huge impact on advancing employees’ skills - by automating manual labour, it will allow employees to focus on more strategic, creative tasks that drive long term growth. These critical challenges the industry faces can only be addressed once industry leaders commit to pushing boundaries and utilising technology that inspires future generations of engineers to come.
The implementation of technology also allows for manual and time-consuming tasks to be automated, allowing for the workforce to focus on more strategic work and business growth. According to Mark Gray, UK & Ireland country manager, Universal Robots, addressing skills gaps will require accessible pathways into related professions, including free apprenticeships to build a foundation of practical skills. Initiatives like engineering bootcamps can help inspire young minds, and foster curiosity and interest early on too. Recent figures show a nearly 40 per cent drop in applications for permanent engineering roles, highlighting the urgency of effort needed here. Gray strongly believes the UK needs to do more in 2025 to foster talent, nurture skills, and promote engineering role models in new and interesting ways, if we are to secure our future as a global leader in engineering.
Inspiring the next generation
Some experts believe that this year’s focus on role models is particularly timely, in order to inspire the next generation of talent into the industry. Genesys CTO Glenn Nethercutt said that Genysys believes in the power of mentorship and inspiration to drive progress in AI engineering. Today’s engineers face a unique set of opportunities and responsibilities as their work increasingly intersects with ethical, social, and environmental considerations. Role models in engineering demonstrate that the field is not just about technical skills but also about harnessing knowledge to make a positive impact.
Nethercutt considers that by championing the achievements and values of these role models, young people can be encouraged to see engineering as a creative, purpose-driven path that empowers them to influence the future. What’s particularly exciting about engineering today is how it intersects with emerging technologies, creating entirely new possibilities. Young people looking at engineering careers can work on things that seemed like science fiction just a decade ago. Role models show aspiring engineers that with the right skills and mindset, they too can be part of shaping tomorrow’s world.
A diverse workforce is essential
As well as upskilling employees, more diversity is needed in the STEM industry to create a more dynamic workforce. According to Catherine Ramsdale, SVP technology, Pragmatic Semiconductor, it is well established that diverse thinking leads to better innovation, so bringing different perspectives into Pragmatic’s teams is not just a nice thing to do – it’s a solid business decision.
Ramsdale has been fortunate enough to benefit from a variety of role models throughout her career, and it’s an advantage she’s keen to pass on to the next generation of innovators. Outreach activities for primary and secondary students encourage young people to consider careers in STEM. It’s only through targeting students early – before they make firm decisions about their study pathways – that the pipeline of the next generation of engineering talent can be built.
According to Faye Ellis, principle training architect, Pluralsight, enhancing representation for female engineers is also imperative to build a pipeline of young women and girl engineers. Currently, only 16.5 per cent of engineers are women, highlighting an urgent need to bring more talent and fresh perspectives to the industry and to create a more diverse generation of engineers. Industry has a role to play in opening doors for the next generation, and female role models can help create a tech community where women feel at home and see themselves reflected in leadership roles.
Addressing the challenges
In order for the industry to close the skills gap and keep the UK at the forefront, upskilling and diversifying the workforce isn’t a want but a necessity. Utilising the latest tools in technology, such as AI, will take businesses the next step by closing the skills gap. The use of this technology also needs a diverse workforce to inspire innovation. Only by addressing its challenges can businesses within the industry grow and become a success.
MOF captures hot CO2 from industrial exhaust streams
How much so-called "hot" exhaust could be usefully captured for other heating purposes (domestic/commercial) or for growing crops?