Poll reveals public want more support for engineering

The public want more Government support for students taking on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) degrees, according to a new poll by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Of the 2,000 members of the public surveyed, 75% said that increasing the supply of science and engineering professionals is essential to the economic wellbeing of the UK.

Around 72% said that boosting the UK’s engineering, manufacturing and science sectors would help bring the UK out of recession.

Government needs to consider incentives like subsidies for students pursuing STEM subjects

Dr Colin Brown, Director of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said in response to the results: “Boosting the country’s engineering, manufacturing and science sectors is crucial to the country’s economic recovery – but this can only be done if we have sufficient numbers of skilled professionals entering these sectors.”

He added that Government needs to consider incentives like subsidies for students pursuing STEM subjects at university, and more needs to be done to promote STEM subjects in schools and colleges.

“There is also an urgent need for schools, technical colleges and universities to develop better links to industry – to ensure that people have the right skills to excel in the commercial world, and to inspire children and students about the huge possibilities of careers in STEM,” he said.

Other findings of the poll include, 48% of the public saying that Government subsidies for STEM degrees would persuade them to encourage their children to consider a career in engineering, compared to just 14% who said it would not.

The survey also found that 69% of the public think that engineering and science should be designated as ‘critical national professions’.