is mirrored across the continent – and beyond, with countries such as the US and Australia crying out for engineers. While that is likely
to present today’s undergraduates with wonderful opportunities, there is a real threat to Europe’s economies and its people’s way of life if those jobs are not filled. Those in industry,
SKIP
education and government have been jolted into action. In December 2011, the EU pledged more than €8m to fund the inGenious project, a industry-education partnership, charged with enticing more schoolchildren into science, maths and engineering course. Over the next three years it will be taking its message in to more than 1,000
classrooms across Europe. Others are raising the
profile of engineering through eye-catching competitions. For example, the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK recently launched a million- pound prize, to reward individuals or teams for outstanding advances made in engineering – aiming to celebrate the sheer excitement of modern engineering. British designer James Dyson meanwhile runs an annual competition in 18 countries aimed squarely at engineering undergraduates, celebrating the most jaw- dropping inventions. The intention is clear:
it’s time for engineers to celebrate the exciting career opportunities open to newcomers.