Industry ‘vigilant’ over Brexit negotiations
19 Oct 2016
A report published by Engineering the Future looks at the impact leaving the EU could have on the wider engineering community.
The report - Engineering a future outside the EU: securing the best outcome for the UK - draws on consultation with engineers from all sections of the profession, including academia, industry and the public sector.
It also flags up key issues that impact on the UK’s engineering capability as the government forms a view on the EU exit negotiations.
Brexit will impact on the entire STEM community in the UK and it's important that we speak to government with one voice
IChemE director Andrew Furlong
“The process of the UK leaving the EU will certainly present challenges but it is also an opportunity to reinforce the UK’s position as a leading nation of global influence in terms of trade, knowledge and innovation,” the report says.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), which helped formulate the report, said it provides a sound basis for productive engagement with UK government departments.
IChemE director Andrew Furlong said: “Brexit will impact on the entire STEM community in the UK and it's important that we speak to government with one voice. IChemE is fully supportive of EtF strategy. We welcome the report and will continue to play an active role in the conversation with policymakers.”
However, Furlong added that the negotiations have a long way to go and the IChemE would “remain vigilant” towards the emergence of any specific threats to the chemical engineering community.
“IChemE will maintain close contact with its members in industry, academia and in research. We will make additional representations based on firm evidence if necessary.”
A copy of the report can be found here.
