Addressing the current skills and workforce shortages in Engineering and Technology, and addressing the need to recruit the right candidates into the industry, students who achieve 3 Grade 'A's at A level and start an IET Accredited Engineering or Technology degree this Autumn will receive a scholarship of £1000 annually for up to 4 years.
The scholarship, known as the Diamond Scholarships Initiative has been launched by the IET in the hope that it will attract bright young talent to the Engineering and Technology Industry. Unfortunately Engineering and Technology has not been a popular choice with graduates in recent years and has carried an image of poor career progression and poor pay with little challenge.
In fact the opposite is the case. Engineering and Technology is thriving in the UK and is one of very few sectors who can say they cannot find the right people to join the engineering workforce. With an ageing workforce, there are significant concerns for the future of the UK Engineering industry as there is very little young talent joining the industry.
Furthermore, starting salaries for graduate engineers are among the top graduate salaries, however this has done little to help the growing skills gap. The IET is aiming to close the skills shortage gap with the introduction of the Diamond Scholarships Initiative.
Prof Andy Hopper, IET President, said: “Engineering and technology are thriving in the UK but there is a very real problem with skills shortages to fill the jobs available. The IET wants to encourage young people to study engineering and technology and go on to pursue careers in these sectors.
“Job prospects in these sectors continue to look strong, with companies continually seeking talented graduate engineers and scientists, as well as technicians and apprentices.”
Students can now apply for the scholarships by visiting www.theiet.org/diamond.