Design and invention in good hands

Reports of the demise of engineering as a profession in the UK are widely broadcast. But there are two hopeful signs of the survival and long-term future of the creative, innovative and hands-on skills required in engineers.

First, recent research by the Institution of Engineering and Technology has revealed that engineering is the third most popular job for young people – after being a YouTuber or a footballer. It ranks above becoming a teacher, Scientist, Computer Programmer, Doctor, Pilot, or Police officer, which are the professions ranked 4 to 8.

By the way, the word engineer stems from military inventors and designers in 18th century military situations, people who “contrive, design or invent”, according to Oxford dictionaries.

Stem Ambassador Meghan surrounded by eager female students at the HOTF stand.

The second hopeful sign was seen in late June at the Beaulieu Motor Museum. There, Hampshire students aged 13-18 enjoyed a great day at the Get Inspired event organised by EBP  South to showcase some of the job opportunities available for them.

Many of the 300 attendees had fun trying their inventive and contriving skills on the Hands On The Future™ ‘Rotor Challenge’. They tested their hand-eye and measurement prowess to find the right size bolt to fit into a Lynx Helicopter blade. Based on the Solent University stand, Nicola Parr and Megan Kelly, two engineering STEM ambassadors, showed the rotor blades to students and explained the challenge.

The Rotor Challenge was devised by the founders of Hands On The Future™ (HOTF), three local engineers who are extremely concerned about the decline of the teaching of hands-on skills to students. They have reconfigured a Lynx Rotor blade to show at career events and in local schools and colleges.

“We believe in the vital importance of teaching hands-on skills to support work in all areas, especially where machines and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important,” said Peter Mucci, one of the founders of HOTF. “It was encouraging to see so many female students taking part in the challenge. This is evidence that is less gender bias than people think when it comes to manufacturing and engineering projects.”

At the Beaulieu Careers’ exhibition for students last stem Peter Mucci, one of the founders. With Mike O’Sullivan, another founder on the right. In the middle are stem ambassadors who demonstrated.

Local teachers expressed eagerness to have the Rotor Challenge presented at their schools. The next outing for the Rotor Challenge will happen at the Careers Day for Wildern School, Hedge End, in early October.

The interactive Get Inspired exhibitions are organised by EBP South, and this one was supported by Southern Universities Network, ExxonMobil, and New Forest District Council.