Meeting engineers set for the future
I had a smashing day on Friday.
Firstly, I met engineering apprentices at Scottish Gas Academy in Hamilton and then on to Glasgow Caledonian University to see Duncanrig Secondary pupils doing their school proud at the engineering development trust senior pupils’ competition.
The Scottish Gas Academy is currently training 150 apprentices.
The workspace wasn’t what I, and probably many folks, generally understand as an engineering works – it was bright, modern and clean and not at all like the industrial workshop of common perception.
I suspect this perception is why it has been so difficult to attract young women into engineering – the girls are vastly outnumbered in related further and higher education courses, as apprentices and in the workplaces. Yet there are so many opportunities, and indeed skills’ shortages.
That’s why the Scottish Government is investing in STEM subjects at school (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). STEM training programmes and classroom resources for teachers are being funded, at both primary and senior level. Scotland’s colleges and universities are increasing the number of STEM-related courses and places. STEM places are being prioritised in modern apprenticeships.
The number of female entrants into STEM subjects at Scottish universities is up quite a bit since the SNP government came into power but there’s much more to do.
It’s not all about young people, school, college and university leavers though. Retraining opportunities are available too.
During my Scottish Gas Academy visit I met apprentices representing all ages and backgrounds.
Of course, business has a big role to play, and the Scottish Government’s plan is that by 2020 every Scottish school will be working with a STEM partner from the private, public or voluntary sectors.
I’m delighted that this has been happening in East Kilbride’s senior schools for some time.
The Duncanrig team at the engineering development trust senior schools’ competition on Friday partnered with East Kilbridebased EDF, working closely with the company to develop an engineering project, the outcome of which may well be utilised by EDF.
The team, girls and boys from fifth and sixth years, were a credit to East Kilbride. Although they did not win the trophy, they deservedly received certificates of commendation.
We need engineers to cover so many aspects of our day-to-day lives – an excellent career choice, and as one of the chaps at Scottish Gas said to me: “Apprenticeships and university degrees should be regarded as equal in status – they are a valuable and equal path for people of all ages to pursue.”