Local MP Mark Pawsey has pledged support to help fix the engineering skills shortage by encouraging employers in Rugby to work with schools to give young people work experience opportunities and inspirational information about the many exciting careers in engineering and technology.
Mark has signed up to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) pledge to support engineering in their constituency. As part of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week*, the MP is urging employers in their constituency to work proactively with local schools and colleges.
Mark said: “Having signed the IET Skills Pledge as part of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, I am now calling on engineering companies in Rugby to work closely with local schools and colleges.”
Mark continued:
“There are a number of great engineering businesses in Rugby and it is vital that we all work together to encourage more young people to pursue careers in engineering”.
The IET pledge also calls for MPs to encourage girls and boys to consider STEM careers, promote the value of vocational STEM subjects and promote STEM careers with parents.
The motivation for the pledge comes in response to findings from the IET’s 2014 Engineering and Technology Skills and Demand in Industry survey, which indicate that 53 per cent of employers believe they should get more involved with schools, colleges and universities to help change the perception of engineering among young people.
*Tomorrow’s Engineers Week takes place from 3-7 November 2014 and aims to change perceptions of engineering among young people (focusing on 11-14s), their parents and teachers.