Careers in engineering

SIR – Engineering is Britain’s most productive sector and provides huge economic benefits, well-paid jobs and world-leading technology.

However, Britain faces a shortfall of engineers. Some 186,000 new recruits are needed every year up to 2024, to upgrade our infrastructure, make advances in medical treatment and develop technology to protect the environment. Along with the need for more apprentices, technicians and engineering graduates, we must address the lack of diversity in a workforce that is currently 92 per cent male and 94 per cent white.

There has never been a better time to be an engineer. Ambitious infrastructure investment will see us complete Crossrail, Europe’s largest civil engineering project, as well as other rail and power infrastructure. Innovations are taking place in our aerospace and automotive sectors, and manufacturing is growing.

As the industry changes, the skills required of engineers are changing too – and British engineers are leading the way in digital, smart and robotic technologies.

However, the perception of engineering remains skewed. Many people do not fully understand what a career in the field entails, or the opportunities it offers. That’s why industry and the Government are joining forces under the Year of Engineering campaign banner. Our ambition is to foster better awareness and understanding of engineering in schools, and show families the variety and creativity it involves, so that more young people consider it as a career.

We, as partners of the campaign, will work hard to challenge the stereotypes and showcase everything this forward-looking sector has to offer. We call on others to do the same. Sir Terry Morgan

Chairman, Crossrail Limited Bob Dudley Group Chief Executive, BP Sinead Lynch Chairman, Shell UK Sir Martin Sorrell

Founder and CEO, WPP and 16 others; see telegraph.co.uk