Frontline views

A new report into the concerns and aspirations of UK engineers provides some valuable insights into the state of the profession. The poll of 1,323 engineers, including 287 managers, carried out for

by market researcher

, paints a picture of a workforce with some serious concerns about the future.

Despite anecdotal evidence that the current financial crisis may be boosting the appeal of a career in engineering, our survey reveals fears that the current shortage of skilled engineers is expected to worsen in the years to come.

Perhaps more shockingly, more than half of our managers, who feel let down by both the government and the higher education system, believe that the graduates they are getting are not sufficiently equipped to embark on a career in the industry.

But it is not all doom and gloom. The majority of our respondents are happy in their careers. They feel valued, regard themselves as relatively well paid, enjoy what they are doing for a living and, despite the opportunities in the world's emerging economies, remain largely committed to the UK's rich and varied culture of innovation.