Current engineering pathways excluding vast number of students
Published: Mon 15 Jul 2019
Published: Mon 15 Jul 2019
“This is an outdated view that we need to change, coupled with a re-aligned focus to promote the benefits of vocational routes into STEM careers. We’re not saying that these subjects aren’t important but the role of an engineer is about solving creative challenges so we must also harness students’ creativity and look at ways in which we can broaden the curriculum to be more attractive.
“The important principles of Maths and Physics can be taught in a relevant ‘work-ready’ way as part of a degree. It is also crucially important that engineering courses refocus on teaching problem solving and creating solutions to improve our world and society.
“This should also include an element of high-quality work experience so that students are adequately prepared for the workplace and are equipped with the skills employers demand.
“Our New Approaches to Engineering Higher Educations gives recommendations, including:
“Whilst Degree Apprenticeships are one area that can make a difference, we need to ensure the routes into careers such as engineering and technology meet the impending skills demands. The IET believes adopting these approaches will help to address this and is calling for fundamental changes to the entry criteria that most UK universities currently require before students can start engineering undergraduate degree programmes.”
--ENDS--
Hannah Kellett
External Communications Manager
E: HKellett@theiet.org
T: +44 (0)1438 767336
M: +44 (0)7738 602426
Rebecca Gillick
Senior Communications Executive
E: RGillick@theiet.org
T: +44 (0)1438 765 618
M: +44 (0)7725 498 129