The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has partnered with ITN Productions to launch ‘Year of Engineering,’ a pioneering news and current affairs-style programme celebrating the UK’s outstanding engineering heritage and inspiring the next generation of engineers.
2018 is the Year of Engineering, an opportunity to champion engineering and to demonstrate how it touches every part of our lives. Although one of the most productive sectors in the UK, there still exists a shortfall of engineering graduates. Presented by national newsreader, Natasha Kaplinsky, flagship industry news-programme ‘Year of Engineering’ showcases the myriad of exciting career opportunities available in engineering within leading organisations on the global stage.
From autonomous vehicles and Royal Navy submarines to innovative healthcare solutions, a career in engineering attracts people of the highest calibre with capabilities amongst the most impressive in the world however there still remains widespread misconceptions associated with an engineering career amongst young people and their parents. ‘Year of Engineering’ highlights the growing need for addressing this knowledge cavity, narrowing the industry skills gap, championing life changing apprenticeships and promoting diversity in the workplace.
In an interview, Nusrat Ghani MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport and Minister for the Year of Engineering and David Lakin, Head of Education at the IET, discuss the objectives behind the year of engineering, explore what needs to be done in schools to develop more STEM programmes and encourage more diversity in a predominantly white and male profession.
Drawing upon ITN’s 60-year heritage and expertise in storytelling, ‘Year of Engineering’ combines a series of authoritative interviews, reports, case studies and sponsored profiles from leading organisations: GSK, The Royal Navy, NM Group, The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and Thales Group.
Nigel Fine, Chief Executive, Institution of Engineering and Technology said: “Our continuing partnership with ITN Productions addresses challenges we are facing in the engineering and technology industry, as well as showcasing the huge range of exciting and rewarding opportunities engineering and technology presents to young people.
“The Year of Engineering has made a significant impact in the way young people view engineering and technology. Through these news reports we can continue to showcase the vast number of exciting roles and routes into engineering to ensure the supply of engineering skills to meet current and future demands.”
Elizabeth Fisher-Robins, Head of Industry News, ITN Productions said: “We are delighted to partner with The Institution of Engineering and Technology to demonstrate how the world of engineering can be made accessible and attractive to young people and we hope the programme inspires an initial spark of interest that turns into a lifetime’s passion.”
