Guest blog:  We must support careers education to secure the future workforce

Can you remember what first sparked your interest in pursuing a career in engineering and technology? It may be that you feel lucky because of a particular teacher who inspired or encouraged you, or because you happened to meet a role model with a great story that lit a fire in you. We know that young people’s understanding of and interest in engineering and technology relates to many factors outside their control – such as their family background or the school they go to – but we must work together to even out these opportunities, extending them beyond the lucky few. Ultimately, the government should take responsibility for ensuring that all young people have high quality careers information, advice and guidance that effectively conveys the breadth, importance and availability of careers in engineering and technology. But there’s an important role for individuals and organisations, so please consider how you can help.

National Careers Week (4 – 9 March) takes place this month - a week-long celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. The week provides a focus for careers activity at an important stage in the academic calendar to help young people develop awareness and excitement about their future pathways.

As a sector that’s grappling with workforce shortages and is in urgent need of attracting more young people, National Careers Week is an ideal time for us to showcase the diverse range of engineering and technology careers to young people. What’s more, we know engineering and tech doesn’t feature highly on school curriculums and that there are gaps in current careers provision – which makes it all the more pertinent to raise awareness and get this on young people’s radar when considering career options.

At EngineeringUK we’ll be joining the virtual careers fair for schools and using the week as an opportunity to promote our careers resources and outreach programmes - including launching a legacy resource for schools from our Tomorrow's Engineers Week. There are lots of ways employers and individuals can get involved with the week and benefit from this captive audience of young people – so please do take a look and consider how you can support it. International Women’s Day (8 March) also falls during the week – so there is an added opportunity here for encouraging more girls to aspire to careers in the sector.

Tapping into annual initiatives such as National Careers Week is a great way to support the sector with attracting future talent, however there are also plenty of other ways you can help inspire the next generation throughout the year.

Seeking out volunteering opportunities is a great way to do this, and is also a really fun and rewarding experience. It can support your professional development by allowing you to try something new, gain new skills and build your professional network. Employers are often keen to support volunteering, with many offering dedicated ‘volunteering days’, so do make the most of this if it’s available to you or consider introducing or asking for this at your organisation.

We have lots of volunteering opportunities available at EngineeringUK and recently opened our call for volunteers for The Big Bang Competition and also The Big Bang Fair 2024, which will be taking place at the NEC on 19-21 June. Volunteers are key to making these a success and we couldn’t run them without their support – so you really will be making a difference. It’s so important that young people see themselves represented in the volunteers who work with us, so we particularly encourage volunteers from groups who are currently underrepresented in engineering and technology.

Sharing your own career story with young people is another great option. Hearing from professionals already working in engineering and technology can be really powerful and help young people to imagine what a career in the sector could be like. We promote a range of case studies to young people and teachers on our Neon website and we’re always on the lookout for more, so do get in touch if you’d be interested in sharing your story. We’re looking for authentic stories that young people can relate to, not just showcasing individuals who are at the pinnacle of their career or who work for the most high-profile or successful companies. Stories from ordinary people from all backgrounds often resonate best - particularly those at the early stages of their careers or that convey what excites them about their work.

So, as the UK celebrates National Careers Week, I urge you to think back to what inspired you to pursue a career in the sector and consider how you can help to give back and inspire the next generation.