How industry can attract young engineers to tackle the engineering skills shortage

14 March, 2023

Values are also very important and something businesses should consider. According to Forbes, “The younger generation is vocal and insistent that businesses also take part in important social causes.” Increasingly, younger people seek purpose in their working lives, and they want to feel they are making a difference by working for companies with values that match their own.

For instance, A recent survey by EY found that most young people don’t wish to pursue careers in the oil and gas sector due to its negative environmental impact, but two-thirds said a job in green energy was appealing. In other words, young people today are demanding jobs that mirror their green values.

With this in mind, educators and industrial companies must collaborate to show young people how engineering and technology can positively affect social issues.

More accessible roles

So, how can industry better inform young people about the positive impact of their business? Let’s use the climate crisis as an example. Energy software, like zenon from COPA-DATA can play a crucial role in helping businesses strive towards net zero. zenon is the de facto standard software used on the UK’s offshore windfarms, including the world’s first ever floating offshore wind facility. Business leaders from other companies need to shout about projects like these to enthuse young people to join their organisation.

Young people can find plenty of opportunities in engineering that mirror their own values. That’s also why COPA-DATA is involved with the trade association GAMBICA, including its GAMBICA Young Council (GYC) to get rising stars and future leaders involved in a variety of sectors including engineering.

Through collaborations like these, education and industry can take a leaf out of the younger generation’s book and influence. Tackling the worldwide shortage of young engineers is crucial for the future of industry — and is essential to save us from another generation of influencers.

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