EDUCATION, ENGINEERING AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS OPINION OPINION: EDUCATION, ENGINEERING AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

The biennial Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering was over 10 million dust mites. Last month we can inspire, and when engineers are set free, added a Harrier jump jet to the list. We’re not the opportunities are limitless. The National launched in November 2011, with the leaders of the three planning to develop a Dyson fighter jet, but Curriculum would benefit from recognising main political parties lending their support. Sir James Dyson who knows what technology will come out this. of the depths of our facilities in the future? It D&T is an expensive subject and of sees the prize as one way to focus attention on engineering is the unknown that keeps Dyson engineers course most schools can’t afford to provide but questions if Britain is educating the next generation of inventing. facilities equivalent to ours at Dyson; but Engineers are invaluable and we face some of the things we do could be brought potential winners. He told Ingenia how important he sees competition for them globally. The number to life in the classroom at relatively little the role of education in increasing both the numbers and of university degrees in science and expense, and the pay-off would be huge. engineering awarded in China and Taiwan The James Dyson Foundation already the quality of engineers. more than doubled between 2000 and 2008. provides free resources to teachers, including These countries are investing to ensure their vacuum cleaners, which we encourage Airports, high-speed railway lines, and the things” and incentives for inventiveness. But supplies of engineers match their demand them to take apart and rebuild. The state in development of nanotechnology – these are these are measures for the here and now – and we must do the same. which they come back proves that reverse exciting times to be a British engineer. But what of the future? The teaching of Design We have been looking for engineers of engineering is a fulfilling pursuit! they are a rare breed and their numbers are in and Technology (D&T) is threatened with the calibre needed to invent new technology. A look into the mind of an engineer decline. The new engineering prize will show being removed from the National Curriculum. We’ve increased our research, design and might help build a new curriculum. They that Britain takes its engineering seriously, but We won’t inspire budding engineers by losing development headcount in Malmesbury to are inquisitive, asking ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’ this isn’t reflected in the education system. the only subject that blends the practical 650 in the last year, and we’re still looking. Always yearning to redesign, improve and BIOGRAPHY Sir James Dyson CBE FREng started his We need to nurture British engineers so that application of theory with creative problem- Over the next year, we will look to employ better understand. I guarantee that if a D&T working life at the engineering company they develop winning ideas. solving. another 200 engineers with graduates with curriculum reflected this mindset more, Sir James Dyson CBE FREng Rotork, and developed the Ballbarrow, Our infrastructural ambitions should Rather than downgrading its importance, starting salaries ranging from £25,000 to engineering applicants would increase, which won the Building Design augment our skillset and translate into which is looking likely, let’s pull apart the D&T £27,000 coupled with a joining bonus of resulting in more exciting British technology Innovation Award in 1977. Over the greater expertise. This should develop British curriculum and redesign it to be academically up to £3,000. It’s difficult to find the most to celebrate. next fi ve years he developed the Dual technology and boost our exports as people rigorous and about solving real problems. inquisitive, bright young minds – there are Mr Gove, if, as Secretary of State for Cyclone™ his no loss of suction vacuum crave our knowledge. But there is a chronic Let’s get young people pulling machines simply not enough. In fact 45% of employers Education, you want an inspired curriculum, cleaner. In 1997, when he launched the shortage of engineers and it’s going to get apart in schools and discovering how they have difficulty recruiting enough people with and a generation of problem solvers: Dyson DCO1 vacuum cleaner under worse. More than two million technicians work. D&T must be modern and relevant. the STEM skills they need. challenge Dyson engineers to engineer a his own name in the UK, it became the and engineers will be needed to work in Let’s go as far as to make it more like Dyson, We look for a specific mindset which first-class curriculum. I think you might be best-selling cleaner within 18 months. Britain over the next decade. We should Rolls-Royce and JCB’s R&D facilities. is backed up with a rigorous engineering surprised by the results. Perhaps one day Dyson continues to produce new and diff erent technology, such as the Dyson ensure that they be the most highly skilled Dyson’s research labs are an exciting place knowledge because these are skills that the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Digital Motor, the Dyson Airblade™ hand and inventive minds in the world. There’s a lot to work: we’ve got a dissected Mini, Russian will result in breakthrough technologies. will be presented to a Brit, inspired by their dryer, launched in October 2006 and the of work for us to do before this is realised. space suits and a Formula 1 engine – not Not just with Dyson, but with all British teachers and galvanised by the curriculum most recent innovation, the Dyson Air The government has been largely positive. to mention our semi anechoic chambers, technology exports. And Britain’s trade to solve problems and build a Britain for the Multiplier™ fan in 2009. They have created “a budget for making electromagnetic compatibility chambers and balance will benefit as a result. Technology 21st century.

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