A national education initiative to encourage more students to consider an engineering career is inspiring a new generation of much-needed engineers and technologists, with more than two million young people taking part since the programme launched.
As the UK's leading investor in automotive R&D, Jaguar Land Rover relies on a steady stream of talent to develop new products and technologies in engineering, performance and sustainability, to safeguard its business long term. But it's now predicted that there will be a shortfall of 200,000 qualified engineers in the UK by 2020 due to a sharp decline in the number of students studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
The Inspiring Tomorrow's Engineers programme works with schools around the country to get young people excited about studying STEM subjects and a career in engineering. The programme aims to stimulate interest through school visits by Jaguar Land Rover employees; national and regional skills shows promoting apprenticeship and graduate programmes; and practical advice to students.
Employees take an active part, with more than 1,800 providing support in 2012. The company also works with automotive, engineering and academic partners to develop national STEM challenges for schools.
In 2012, more than 200,000 young people took part in Inspiring Tomorrow's Engineers, with 95% of the teachers involved saying students took a greater interest in STEM subjects as a result.
Jaguar Land Rover also sponsored careers fairs such as the Big Bang and the Skills Show, reaching more than 150,000 students. Some of the 189 apprentices, 312 graduates and 98 undergraduate industrial placements the company recruited during the year had previously taken part in the programme.
Inspiring more people to take up engineering will help the company meet its ambitious growth plans. And with the shortage of engineering graduates constraining the wider economy, the benefits of sparking students' interest in STEM will undoubtedly be felt further afield.
Lorna Thorpe is part of the wordworks network
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