Highlighting engineering as the focus for the 2018 Year of Engineering
The Year of Engineering 2018, launched on 7 September at the Science Museum, marked a nationwide effort to promote engineering as a career choice and inspire the next generation of engineers. The campaign, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering, aimed to address the skills gap in the engineering sector and widen the pool of young people entering the profession from all backgrounds.
Key initiatives during the Year of Engineering focused on raising the profile of engineering among young people, emphasizing diverse and inclusive participation. Encouraging collaboration between industry, government, and academia was also a crucial part of the campaign, as it highlighted the numerous career opportunities available in engineering.
Public engagement activities, school programs, and media campaigns were run throughout the year, showcasing the creative and impactful nature of engineering. Notable events included the screening of inspirational films like Hidden Figures and Dream Big: Engineering Our World at the Science Museum.
Partner organizations, such as EngineeringUK, large engineering firms, professional institutions, academic institutions, and government departments, collaborated to coordinate outreach and support activities. More than 130 organizations, including Shell, Rolls-Royce, Usborne, and Tata Consultancy, pledged support for the Year of Engineering.
Industry pioneers like Darktrace and VisionRT, finalists of the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award, were exhibited at the launch event. The MacRobert Award winners for 2017, Raspberry Pi, were also showcased, demonstrating the innovative work being done in the UK engineering sector.
Bechtel, a significant partner in the campaign, emphasized its passion for inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in engineering. Bechtel's UK Managing Director, Paul Gibbs, highlighted the extraordinary careers in engineering that are open to young people, as demonstrated by initiatives like Dream Big, the Science Museum's interactive exhibition, Engineer Your Future, which was extended to run throughout 2018.
The National Railway Museum is planning the York Central project, a new site for the Museum that will enable visitors to appreciate the engineering feats at the heart of British rail innovation. The Science Museum's partnership with Bechtel aims to help young people understand the opportunities available in the engineering sector.
The Year of Engineering 2018 aimed to provide direct and inspiring experiences of engineering to thousands of young people aged 7 to 16. The campaign is expected to inspire the next generation of engineers, helping to close the engineering skills gap that has been impacting productivity and growth in the UK.
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening the engineering sector, recognizing the vital role it plays in contributing over 20% of UK gross value added and accounting for half of the country's exports.
However, the industry faces challenges in terms of diversity, with only 9% of UK engineers being women and 6% from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The Year of Engineering 2018 aimed to address this issue by promoting engineering as a career choice to young people from all backgrounds.
Dr Hayaatun Sillem, Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, highlighted the Year of Engineering as an opportunity to change perceptions of engineering and inspire the next generation to take up the challenge of solving the world's most pressing problems through engineering.
- The Year of Engineering 2018, driven by the Royal Academy of Engineering, aimed to increase science education and self-development by inspiring young people to pursue engineering, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Encouraging collaboration between diverse sectors like industry, government, and academia, the Year of Engineering 2018 focused on expanding engineering education as a means to address the skills gap in the sector, highlighting the numerous opportunities for personal growth and self-development in engineering.
