Class action

Employers have called for action to raise the profile of engineering and technology as a career option and to boost the number of children studying science subjects.

The

has urged the government to automatically enrol about 250,000 of the UK's most able pupils for triple science GCSE exams.

Although students would still have the option to revert to studying two sciences, the CBI believes the measure would bring a sharp increase in the number taking triple science — now just seven per cent of 16-year-olds.

It claimed the move would help foster an environment in schools that reflects the importance of engineering, science and technology, and should go hand-in-hand with further efforts to raise the profile of careers in relevant industries.

Specifically, the CBI recommends improved one-to-one careers advice for 14, 16 and 18-year-olds to 'challenge misconceptions about science and engineering degrees.'

The CBI's proposals were backed by a number of leading employers in the engineering and technology sector, including Shell UK, E.ON and Network Rail.