Susan Scurlock of education promoter Primary Engineer told a seminar marking the centenary of Sir Owen Williams & Partners that the eldest children in primary schools who go on to seek an apprenticeship will do so in only six years’ time.

“Are we talking to any of them, because if we are just speaking to secondary school children and graduates we are missing them,” she remarked. “Kids are inspired by engineering and need to see more of it; the problem is the curriculum.”

Susan said that engineering has to find “its niche in the curriculum, otherwise teachers don’t have a reason to teach it”. She added that paths through the education process to engineering careers are “quite confused” and pointed out that too many children drop subjects such as physics early on in their secondary education, making it harder for them to work towards an engineering qualification.

Alongside her during a panel discussion was Blessing Danha of accountancy firm KPMG, who is a council member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. She was asked what the institution is doing to embrace new skills. “Data is the new oil and we have to work with technologists and data scientists to try and figure out what skills the engineer of the future needs,” she replied.

But the future for engineering looks good, as “people still want to do things that gives them purpose and gives back to society”. She added that the aims of the engineer are no longer just about profit; “it is about society and sustainability, which is what young people are talking about”.

Blessing was asked if it would be possible these days for an engineer to be knighted for their achievements at the age of 34, as was the case with Sir Owen Williams. “I don’t necessarily believe in a lone genius, but a lot of exciting people are doing exciting things,” she said.

The discussion was organised by Amey, which acquired the Owen Williams business in 2006. Its founder was responsible for the M1 and Spaghetti Junction as well as the original Wembley Stadium.

Pictured above from left are Nicola Hindle, Amey’s managing director for consulting and rail; John Faulkner, Amey’s strategy director; Neil Rawlinson of the Manufacturing Technology Centre; Blessing Danha and Susan Scurlock.

(Photograph: Amey)