• Research shows engineering is not on the radar of young people - parents and teachers have negative perceptions of engineering

• Future skills shortage will have a damaging impact on the transition to a low carbon economy

• New National Grid initiatives launched to inspire young people to consider an engineering career and change current perceptions

Engineering has become “an invisible industry” which is undervalued and undermined by outdated stereotypes, according to new research from National Grid.

The “Engineering Our Future” report was commissioned to look at the attitudes towards engineering among young people, parents and teachers. More than 1,300 individual interviews with young people aged 14-19, and additional in depth focus groups were conducted across the UK. This revealed disturbingly low levels of awareness and interest, and a picture of confusion about the role of engineering, with the majority of young people and parents regarding it as dirty and menial work.

Highlights of the findings include:

• Confusion about the role of engineers, with 6 out of 10 young people not able to name a  recent engineering achievement
• Young people, parents and teachers have “blue collar” images of men in overalls who fix things
• Teachers and parents think engineering is a career for those who are “less academic”.
• Prejudice and stereotypes stem from this basic preconception
• Girls are ten times less likely to say they would pursue a career in engineering
• Low levels of appreciation for engineers’ contribution to society, compared to other professions such as doctors, teachers and the police force.