Engineering UK 2016 The State of Engineering analyses the engineering industry’s capacity for growth and details engineering in education, training and employment. Now in its eighteenth year, the report provides the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community, Government, industry and the third sector with a compelling evidence base.

There are three overriding messages from the report. Firstly, that engineering and skilled engineers make a significant contribution to the UK economy and its productivity as well as working towards mitigating the grand global challenges of climate change, ageing populations, food, clean water and energy.

Secondly, that the UK at all levels of education does not have the current capacity or the required rate of growth needed to meet the forecast demand for skilled engineers and technicians by 2022.

Thirdly, through concerted and co-ordinated action, the engineering community and employers in particular can make a demonstrable difference by working with schools and colleges to inspiring future generations to pursue relevant qualifications and go on to careers in engineering.

Engineering is a vital part of the UK economy – engineering employers have the potential to generate an additional £27 billion per year from 2022. This is equivalent to the cost of building 1,800 secondary schools or 110 new hospitals.

If the UK is to benefit economically from this, we will need to meet the forecasted demand for 257,000 new vacancies in engineering enterprises in the same timescale. The importance of engineering is significant not only economically but also with regards to employment, as for every new engineering role an additional two jobs are created in the economy.

The full report can be downloaded here.

An infographic of key facts can be found here – EngineeringUK-Report-2016-Infographic