Engineering graduate skills deficiency is costing UK industry money

Citation

(2006), "Engineering graduate skills deficiency is costing UK industry money", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778dab.028

Engineering graduate skills deficiency is costing UK industry money

Engineering graduate skills deficiency is costing UK industry money

Keywords: Aerospace engineering, Education and training

New research from the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and Henley Management College has revealed that over one-third of UK engineering firms believe that graduate skills deficiencies are costing them money through delays in new product development and additional recruitment costs.

The study, which surveyed over 400 engineering companies including Ford Motor Company Ltd, IBM and BP plc reveals a pressing need to overhaul undergraduate engineering education.

Although the cream of UK graduates are on a par with European peers, UK industry is voicing some concerns. Specific graduate skill gaps were found in problem solving and application of theory to real problems, breadth of knowledge and ability in maths.

The research findings are featured in a report entitled “Educating Engineers for the 21st Century: the Industry View” – which was discussed for the first time at the “Innovation in Engineering Education” event in March. The report reveals falling numbers of engineering graduates and the lack of graduates choosing to take up careers in the sector is set to jeopardise the UK's economy. What is more, the skills shortage is set to worsen.

Between 1994 and 2004 the numbers of students entering university rose by 40 per cent. However, the numbers opting for engineering courses remained almost static at 24,500 – dropping proportionately from 11 per cent to less than 8 per cent of entrants. And on graduation less than half the engineering cohort chose to enter the engineering profession. Meanwhile, in China and India some 464,000 engineers graduate each year.

The RAEng has called for immediate action through closer collaboration between schools, universities and industry to counteract the perceived skills deficiency in graduate engineers.

The Academy's Honorary Secretary for Education and Training, Professor Julia King CBE FREng, said, “If we are to deliver a vision of the UK as a global leader in turning knowledge into new products and services, we need to see industry and universities collaborating to produce more inspiring engineering degree courses with closer industrial engagement.”

“We must also increase the number of students choosing engineering courses. This will start in schools where we need to encourage more students to choose maths and physics with better provision for those subjects.”

“Whilst the report causes some concern, there are solutions available to improve the situation. But action is needed now. Every day that passes is costing UK industry money in delayed product development and recruitment costs. This must not be allowed to continue. And unless skills shortages are tackled head on Britain's reputation for innovative engineering is at risk.”

The report features a range of interim recommendations including the overhaul of current engineering courses, stressing real-life problems and delivered in close collaboration with industry.

The report recommends that industry involvement with undergraduate engineering needs to be increased through both new initiatives and strengthening existing collaboration, including industrial project topics and compulsory assessed vacation placements featuring real-life practical experiences. The report also calls for direct input from industry in new course content and material in line with their requirements.

Professor Julia King adds, “The report's industry blue print for the engineering graduate of the future demands technical experts of world class standing; individuals who can manage across boundaries – whether technical or organisational – in a complex business environment; and, be change agents: providing the creativity, innovation and leadership needed to guide the industry to a successful future.”