Minister for science and innovation Ian Pearson yesterday challenged the next generation of engineers to lead the world in developing environmentally friendly technologies to combat climate change. Speaking at a Global Sustainability forum at Imperial College, Pearson said that tackling climate change and the effects of population growth could generate at least £700bn globally by 2015. This is an opportunity that British engineers should capitalise on, while helping mitigate the most damaging features of climate change, which is expected to see global temperatures rise by up to 6.4 degrees, and sea levels rise between 20cm and 60cm by the end of this century.
"In the UK there are over 17,000 companies that are already focusing on the environment. I expect the value of this £25bn industry to more than double within the next ten years, with employment growing by at least 100,000 over the same period," he said.
"The sustainable companies of tomorrow will need engineers that can help them find ethical, environmentally sound solutions to the even tougher challenges to come."
Pearson called on employers to engage closely with Sector Skills Councils, including the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA) to ensure UK engineering has the highly skilled workforce it will need to successfully compete. Through working closely with business, Sector Skills Councils will provide detailed analysis of future engineering skills requirements, ensure that the future supply of skills and qualifications is driven by what employers need and work to raise employer investment in skills at all levels.
"In the UK there are over 17,000 companies that are already focusing on the environment. I expect the value of this £25bn industry to more than double within the next ten years, with employment growing by at least 100,000 over the same period," he said.
"The sustainable companies of tomorrow will need engineers that can help them find ethical, environmentally sound solutions to the even tougher challenges to come."
Pearson called on employers to engage closely with Sector Skills Councils, including the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA) to ensure UK engineering has the highly skilled workforce it will need to successfully compete. Through working closely with business, Sector Skills Councils will provide detailed analysis of future engineering skills requirements, ensure that the future supply of skills and qualifications is driven by what employers need and work to raise employer investment in skills at all levels.
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