Among 14 to 16 year olds the proportion of boys and girls thinking seriously about engineering has remained fairly steady over the last four years (around half), with 55% of 11 to 14 year olds saying they may be interested in working as an engineer.

But more males than females still tend to have a positive view of engineering. Among 16 to 19 year olds the split is 59% for males compared to 42% of females. For children aged 11 to 14 the division is more stark: 62% of boys think positively about engineering compared to 38% of girls.

Engineering UK surveyed more than 2500 young people and also spoke to 1000 secondary school teachers of STEM subjects and 1800 members of the public. It concludes there is “compelling evidence” that STEM outreach can and does work. Young people attending a STEM careers activity in the previous 12 months, it points out, were over three times more likely to consider a career in engineering than those who had not.

But the group also says that work is needed to improve young people’s knowledge, perceptions and understanding of engineering, particularly among girls.

“Young people who participate in STEM engagement activities know more about engineering and those that know more about engineering are more likely to consider a career in it,” said Engineering UK’s chief executive Dr Hilary Leevers.

“Given the urgent need we have to encourage more, and more diverse, young people in engineering, we must work together to make sure that every young person has repeated opportunities to be inspired by STEM and engineering.”

(Photograph: Africa Studio – Shutterstock)