Engineers are at the forefront of shaping the world we live in, helping to solve our biggest challenges. From dealing with cyber security, enabling commercial space travel and minimsing the impact of natural disasters to developing sustainable energy, food, housing and products, engineers help pave the way to a better future for everyone.
Advanced Manufacturing:
An area of significant potential growth for the UK economy, influenced by the growing ‘computerisation’ of production processes, a shift to shorter production runs and more tailored products (facilitated by new techniques such as 3D printing).
Automotive:
Connected and autonomous vehicles are a key focus for the future, providing an additional 300,000 jobs by 2030, enabling vehicles to talk to each other and the wider world.
Aerospace and space:
The UK is Europe’s largest aerospace cluster and manufacturer and second only to the USA globally. Over the next 20 years there is likely to be significant investment into researching and developing greener, quieter, more economical aircraft.
Agricultural technologies:
A fast-growing global market driven by population growth. Genetics, nutrition, informatics, satellite remote sensing and precision farming are underpinned by technological advances.
‘Big Data’:
A massive global market for data analysis products and services is anticipated. The UK’s current digital skills shortage means that opportunities exist in the next decade to gain the skills required to analyse complex data and turn it into useful information and intelligence.
Construction:
Significant investment into housing and social infrastructure, along with projects such as Crossrail, Hinkley Point C and the expansion of Heathrow, will generate plenty of opportunities in this sector.
Creative digital:
Contributes around £92 billion to the economy and employs around 9% of the UK’s workforce. The UK is a world leader in areas requiring software and coding skills, such as post-production special effects in films, games design and digital advertising.
Life sciences:
There are over 350 pharmaceutical companies based in the UK. The Life Sciences industry employs over 240,000 people in areas such as medical technology and biopharmaceuticals and has a turnover of £70 billion.
Low carbon economy:
Power, waste processing, energy efficiency products and low carbon vehicles are all growing industries. The UK is a world leader in offshore wind and marine energy and renewable energy now provides around a fifth of the UK’s electricity.
Nuclear energy:
Nuclear power is likely to form an important part of a ‘balanced mix’ of generating technologies over the long term, to provide reliable, low carbon and cost competitive electricity. A new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, Somerset, is due to start generating electricity by 2027.
Oil and gas:
Provide more than two thirds of the UK’s total primary energy and are expected to do so until at least 2035. Across the UK, oil and gas supports around 270,000 jobs.
Road and rail transport:
With over £400 billion being invested in transport projects and programmes across the UK, the number of apprenticeships in the sector is expected to treble.
Information taken from https://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk