CBI: Education is failing science and engineering sector
17-08-2006
The education system is failing the engineering and science sectors, according to the CBI.
The bosses group said that thousands of potential workers in both sectors are being lost because of poor careers advice, falling numbers of specialist teachers and a reduced science curriculum.
As a result, the number of pupils studying physics at A-level has dropped by 56 per cent in the last 20 years, while the number studying chemistry has fallen by 37 per cent.
Richard Lambert, CBI director general, said that employers were becoming increasingly concerned at the lack of A-level science pupils, and the knock on effect on the number of engineering and science graduates.
"They see, at first hand, the young people who leave school and university looking for a job, and compare them to what they need - and increasingly are looking overseas for graduates," he said.
Mr Lambert added: "We must smash the stereotypes that surround science and re-brand it as desirable and exciting; a gateway to some fantastic career opportunities. But the UK risks being knocked off its perch as a world-leader in science, engineering and technology. We cannot afford for this to happen."
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