Reform engineering GCSE, industry urges
21 Aug 2014
On GCSE results day, industry body calls for the reform rather than the removal of engineering qualifications.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has today issued a warning to government that a proposal to axe engineering examinations from the national curriculum could severely damage efforts to bridge the current skills gap.
Examinations regulator Ofqual set out proposals in June to reform GCSE and A level qualifications through public consultation.
It is imperative that GCSE engineering be reformed rather than removed
IET head of policy Paul Davies
Interested parties had until the end of July to respond, with results likely to be announced before the end of the year, an Ofqual spokesperson told Process Engineering.
Recent figures highlighted by Ofqual suggest that only 1,800 students sat an engineering GCSE in 2012.
However, today’s figures suggest a 73% increase in the number of students successfully studying for a GCSE in engineering.
IET head of policy Paul Davies said: “One of the reasons given for removing this subject is due to the low student numbers. However, the results published today show a large increase.
“It is imperative that GCSE engineering be reformed rather than removed.”
Davies said GCSE engineering is widely recognised as a significant route to providing the crucial technical skills that young people need to succeed in industry.
“It is important to engage students with the discipline of engineering as early as possible. These subjects build on key skills applicable to many areas and develop a systems-thinking approach in addition to allowing for the application of mathematics,” Davies said.
If proposals to incorporate engineering into the ‘Design & Technology’ syllabus are pushed through, Davies said some of the skills necessary for a career in engineering may not be adequately covered.
“The fact of the matter is that the UK has a shortage of engineers and the removal of these subjects sends the wrong message about their importance to the UK’s economy,” he said.
“We believe that rigorous, highly valued qualifications should exist in engineering and technology areas that will be vital to the nation’s future and that all education policy makers should seek to maximise the take up of these qualifications.”
In the September issue of Process Engineering, we take an in-depth look at the proposal to axe engineering GSCEs and A levels from the national curriculum.
