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Stuart Nathan
Features editor
The Engineer
German lessons don't sink in
Companies like BMW embody the strengths of the German philosophy of education of engineers and reap the benefits of investment in early-stage technologies
It sometimes seems that every editorial comment we write at The Engineer ends up with a call for more funding from government in something or other. A quick check back on my previous pieces show that it’s not quite every one — but very nearly.
I make no apologies for that. The shortsighted approach by government to investment in science and technology is one of the UK’s major failings, and has been for many years.
A piece by veteran journalist and author John Kampfner in today’s Guardian hit the nail on the head. Kampfner, the newspaper’s former German correspondent, is discussing the differing attitude to labour laws in Germany and the UK, but early in the article he pinpoints the difference between the view of the importance of technology and engineering, and on funding them, in the two countries.
German economic strength, he says, is not based on ‘cyclical, unsustainable factors’ such as property booms. ‘Instead, the German — and broader north European — approach emphasises vocational training and apprenticeships, particularly in engineering, manufacturing and the sciences. It invests in research and development, and in strong education.’
It would be wrong to portray Germany as a paradaisical haven for engineers and engineering. Chat to a German technology journalist and you’ll hear as much concern about skills gaps, government indecision and inertia, and even about the waning status of engineers, as we do in the UK. But despite this, Germany just seems to get it right more often than the UK. From the success of the Fraunhofer Institutes — which we’re only just starting to emulate, over forty years after they were set up — to the ingrained importance of career progress for engineers, Germany consistently sets the pace in industrial innovation.
Kampfner’s also right about Northern Europe. Go to Finland and ask about education, and you’ll be told, enthusiastically, about the benefits of structured play for children in their early years, about the importance of training, status and high pay for teachers, and about how all students end up with skills in languages, mathematics, sciences and humanities despite starting formal schooling much later than in the UK. The relatively small population of Northern European countries is an important factor here, but the very different philosophy of education, and its undeniable results, just doesn’t seem to have made an impression on generations of British politicians.
Instead, they keep on with funding which verges on miserly, an education policy which verges on incoherent, and constant, consistent misunderstanding and undervaluing of the goals and purpose of basic and precompetitive research.
And yet it’s true that Britain has a science base that puts the rest of Europe to shame; more papers published, with higher impact, across more sectors, than any other nation. Government asks why this is not exploited — well, anyone might think that the tiny proportion of GDP invested in R&D compared with our competitor nations could well have something to do with it.
The German economy has been through tough times, like every other economy. It’s been stagnant and slow-moving at times when the UK has boomed. But it always comes back. It comes back through solid, albeit sometimes unspectacular, performance by a strong manufacturing sector based around chemicals, materials, and automotive. German industry sees opportunities, such as in renewables, forms a strategy to exploit them, and does it, with government support. And as Kampfner argues today, it does that because of a philosophy that is built into German political thought and that is completely absent from the UK.
Technology matters. Science matters. Engineering matters. The way to demonstrate that isn’t just to say it, as generations of British politicians have done. It’s to put money behind it, in the right place, at the right time.
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Readers' comments (41)
Anonymous | 26 Oct 2011 1:17 pm
Hear, Hear, well said
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Anonymous | 26 Oct 2011 1:21 pm
There is another contributory factor to the success of German engineering firms - many of them (even large ones) are still privately owned and are, therefore, not subject to the moronic attentions of so-called 'industry analysts' as they have no publiclly available shares and consequently no share price to comment upon. Furthermore, the owners are not in the habit of 'selling the family silver' just to make a quick Euro. Overall, the owners and the workforce have great pride in their organisations - compared to this, we have no hope whatsoever in the UK
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Mike Hadley | 26 Oct 2011 1:32 pm
The problem in this country is that successive governments following on from the Thatcher years have consistently developed this country primarily as a financial services ship to service the world - and we all now know how that's worked out don't we!
Lip service is the word I would use to any investment made in engineering with a varying multitude of job creation schemes for the 'young' generation but nothing along the lines of the good old fashioned 5 year apprenticeship schemes that were the norm in the 60's and 70's.
Instead of supporting our engineering industry they have been abandoned to compete against other companies whose governments invest and support them much to our detriment.
When the opportunity arises to support industry the government would rather let business disappear overseas based companies the recent Siemens vs Bombardier contract being a prime example.
I fear for the future of manufacturing industry in this country, if you do not manufacture anything how can you make investment in the future - a service based industry is not what will put the GREAT back in GREAT BRITAIN.
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John Jay | 26 Oct 2011 1:35 pm
This country's government & civil service tend not to come from backgrounds in science or technology. Without meaningful education or work experience in these fields how can they have the mindset to promote engineering as it should be? There might be an acceptance at Westminster that Britain's future should be more oriented towards designing & making products. However, I doubt it is a goal the politicians & their advisors really know how to achieve.
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John Watson | 26 Oct 2011 1:36 pm
I does not come as a surprise.
Nothing has really changed since Alexander Graham Bell looked for funding for his telephone, only to be rejected as his invention was seen as a novelty.
Unless the accountants (private, banking, and government) see "jam today" they are not interested in the long term financing.
Perhaps if people were not laid off so readily but were funded to leave on a short term and back into education or skills centres to sharpen skills or train the younger generation, and then back to work when there was an upturn, we would have a skilled workforce envied by the world. Sad truth is, those in the last quarter of their working lives live off their redundancy/early private pensions and take on low skilled part time employment because jobs requiring their life learned skills are in short demand, and they are, in some peoples minds (not mine) too old to re-employ.
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DM Mynard | 26 Oct 2011 1:39 pm
This country is infested with companies whose only concern is making money short term.
They are generally controlled by accountants who have no foresight, experience or knowledge of how to further improve a companies prducts.
Consequently even companies which were world winners are quickly converted into one of Maggies "lame ducks".
Industry desperately needs Engineers at the helm, not accountants.
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Cliff Connick | 26 Oct 2011 1:52 pm
The UK approach to making money is based on short-termism, with an expectation of a quick return on investment. We in industry should not rely solely on Government investment & tax support, but invest in ourselves more readily. Perhaps it's a lack of confidence in our own abilities & determination, but we must lead by example, & not wait for the support of others. If we can show that profit margins are sustainable over the long term then politicians, banks & society as a whole will begin to grasp reality.
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Anonymous | 26 Oct 2011 1:57 pm
In Britain engineering is not well respected. There are just a few decent engineers and even less high skilled workforce. There is big gap in respect towards people, quality of services and products. The UK biggest disadvantage are their Island Attitude, greed and selfishness. Teamwork is rare! It requires a lot time and effort to catch up with Scandinavian countries, Germany and Switzerland. Good Luck!
A Continental Engineer living in UK
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Nigel | 26 Oct 2011 2:02 pm
Its always been the case....
Read the "Audit Of War" by Corelli Barnett
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Alexpcs | 26 Oct 2011 2:05 pm
yes,we are coming back sooner or late, but always, since we are thinking not just one overnight, or the next quarter, but for long time in advance, the German philosophy is not just built into the our political system, it is built in in us, we are Germans
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