Report highlights graduate skills deficiencies

Over one third of UK engineering firms believe that graduate skills deficiencies are costing them money through delays in new product development and additional recruitment costs.

New research from the Royal Academy of Engineering and Henley Management College reveals that over one third of UK engineering firms believe that graduate skills deficiencies are costing them money through delays in new product development and additional recruitment costs.

The study, which surveyed over 400 engineering companies reveals a pressing need to overhaul undergraduate engineering education.

Although the cream of UK graduates are on a par with European peers, UK industry is voicing concerns.

Specific graduate skill gaps were found in problem solving and application of theory to real problems, breadth of knowledge and ability in maths.

The report entitled "Educating engineers for the 21st century: the industry view" reveals the falling numbers of engineering graduates and the lack of graduates choosing to take up careers in the sector is set to jeopardise the UK's economy.

What's more, the skills shortage is set to worsen.

Between 1994 and 2004 the numbers of students entering university rose by 40%.

However, the numbers opting for engineering courses remained almost static at 24,500 - dropping proportionately from 11% to less than 8% of entrants.

And on graduation less than half the engineering cohort chose to enter the engineering profession.

Meanwhile, in China and India some 464,000 engineers graduate each year.

The report calls for immediate action through closer collaboration between schools, universities and industry to counteract the perceived skills deficiency in graduate engineers.

James Watt, whose steam engine improvements were key to the Industrial Revolution and Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, are just two of the UK's most prestigious engineers.

But, unless skills shortages are tackled Britain's reputation for innovative engineering could bite the dust.

The Academy's Honorary Secretary for Education and Training, Professor Julia King said: "If we are to deliver a vision of the UK as a global leader in turning knowledge into new products and services, we need to see industry and universities collaborating to produce more inspiring engineering degree courses with closer industrial engagement.

"We must also increase the number of students choosing engineering courses.

This will start in schools where we need to encourage more students to choose maths and physics with better provision for those subjects.

The report features a range of recommendations including the overhaul of current engineering courses, stressing real-life problems and delivered in close collaboration with industry.

The report recommends that industry involvement with undergraduate engineering needs to be increased.

It also calls for direct input from industry in new course content and material in line with their requirements.

Professor David Birchall, Director of the School of Management Knowledge and Learning, Henley Management College, said: "Concerns of companies about the qualifications of school leavers being equipped for engineering degrees suggests that there is no easy fix for the shortage".

"If there aren't enough UK students entering engineering courses we need to seriously consider alternative recruitment approaches, including importing talent from abroad".

"The stakes have been raised and the skills that graduates need to progress in the workplace have changed".

"Our graduates need to be world-class".

"Engineers need to be equipped not only with technical engineering skills, but also with the personal and professional skills to be effective leaders".

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