Man on a mission

Mills CNC project engineer, Carl Patrick, has been awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship Grant to:

• Research and understand German, Japanese and American young peoples’ perceptions of, and attitudes towards, engineering and engineering careers


• Highlight best practice initiatives (introduced within these countries) that have helped promote and create more ‘positive’ perceptions of engineering


• Recommend strategies that can/could be implemented in the UK to encourage more young people to consider, and ultimately choose, a career in engineering

The research project will be undertaken by Mr Patrick throughout 2017 and will involve him travelling to the three countries to talk directly to young people in schools and colleges, apprentices, employers, education and training providers and organisations involved in promoting engineering and manufacturing.

At the end of the project he will report back his findings to the Trust and produce a report that highlights best-practice and provides evidence of German, Japanese and American initiatives and strategies that have helped raise awareness and improve the profile of engineering as a positive career path for young people to follow.

“UK engineering and manufacturing companies have concerns about attracting and retaining top talent into the sector,” Mr Patrick commented. “They are, and have been for some time, experiencing issues related to skills shortages and are naturally worried about the numbers of qualified and committed young people choosing and entering into engineering careers.

“From the outside, there doesn’t appear to be the same level of concern or problems being experienced in Germany, Japan or the US – and the research project I am undertaking will help identify why this is the case.”

Mr Patrick is under no illusions about the scale or complexity of the task ahead: “It’s clear that there’s no magic bullet,” he remarked, “and changing perceptions won’t happen overnight either. The media has a part to play as well as parents, schools, colleges and careers advisory organisations.”

Mr Patrick posits that a more ‘joined up’ approach between all interested and involved parties needs to occur, and that the attractiveness and diversity of opportunities that exist in engineering (now and in the future) need to be provided to primary school children. He also points out that remuneration rates for engineers in many competitive countries are much higher than in the UK and, as a consequence, are looked upon more favourably.

“I am going into this project with an open mind. Even though I may have some ideas already, I am on a fact-finding mission and the end game isn’t about proving whether my thinking is right or wrong but about helping to address negative perceptions regarding engineering,” he concludes. “If other countries do things better, then why not learn from them?”

Mr Patrick is being supported in his endeavours by his employer, Mills CNC: “We have passion for engineering and, from our own experience and that of our customers, know that skills shortages are beginning to bite,” affirmed technical director, Tony Dale. “We have to attract the next generation of creative and dedicated engineers into the industry to ensure that the UK maintains its competitiveness and economic prowess.

“The project being undertaken by Carl will, I’m sure, be a real eye-opener and its results could well have wide and far reaching ramifications for everyone involved in engineering, manufacturing and the education and training of our young people.”

Mills CNC www.millscnc.co.uk