Scottish parents prioritise careers that make a difference

–          Parents say teaching, medicine and engineering are careers where their children could make a difference to the world

–          Seven in ten have had a conversation with their child about how their career can make a positive difference to society

–          Tomorrow’s Engineers Week starts today to celebrate engineers on a mission to make a positive impact on the world

Scottish parents want their children to have a future that makes a positive difference to society, according to new research released to mark the start of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week.

Nearly seven in ten (69%) of Scottish parents want their children to have a job that is something they can be proud of and nearly half (46%) want their child to make a positive difference to society with their careers.

Other parental priorities for their child’s future work are being happy (90%), reliable income (71%) / salary (46%) and excitement (37%).

While only a quarter (26%) of Scottish parents were told that they could have a job that makes a difference to the world when they were young, parents are now taking steps to ensure their children have better information.

Seven in ten of Scottish parents of Generation Z children (72%) have had discussions about how their future jobs could make a difference to the world and many believe that engineering is a career that could make this happen.

While UK parents of 11-18 year olds feel that teaching (50%) or being a doctor (48%) are the careers most likely to enable their child to do good in the future, 43% believe becoming an engineer would make a difference.

Similar numbers felt nurses (40%), police (37%), vets (37%) or social workers (36%) would also be positive career choices.

Tomorrow’s Engineers Week runs from 5 November to inspire young people and parents with examples of engineers on a mission to make a positive difference to society.

Engineers featured include a dynamic dozen all working on exciting projects that make a positive difference to the world.

Stars include Jack Hooper from doppel, who has engineered a device to improve mental health and two engineers from Robertson’s Engineering, who have saved the lives of otters with an innovative road crossing.

Dr Serena Cunsolo from University of Portsmouth is also involved. She was part of the Ocean Cleanup team and is now looking at how plastics can be prevented from entering our rivers and oceans.

Jack Hooper, Co-Founder of doppel, commented: “My work shows that anything is possible with engineering. Tackling some of the biggest issues in the world, like improving mental health, needs to see engineers like me working alongside other professionals, in new ways, to create new solutions. Anyone who wants to make a positive difference to the world should consider a career in engineering.”

The engineers on a mission will be the stars of films and a unique Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly which offers schools across the UK the chance to take part in the same assembly on engineering careers at the same time.

Tomorrow’s Engineers is the November campaign focus for Year of Engineering, a year-long government campaign, which celebrates the world and wonder of engineering. 

The Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly took place yesterday with more than 350 schools have already signed up to the Big Assembly with 35,000-plus students expected to take part. 

The Tomorrow‘s Engineers Week Big Assembly is sponsored by BCS, ICE, IET, IMechE and Year of Engineering and supported by other professional institutions and will also be available on demand after the live broadcast has finished. 

Nusrat Ghani, Minister for the Year of Engineering, said: “Engineering plays a leading role in tackling some of our biggest challenges, from developing sustainable energy to harnessing the power of AI to fight disease.

“The Year of Engineering is an opportunity to show talented young people how they could pursue creative, well-paid careers in this thriving industry.

“And the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly will build on this, inspiring tens of thousands of schoolchildren from across the UK to take a closer look at this exciting field.” 

Broadcaster Fayon Dixon, who will host the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly, said: “I’ve seen first hand how engineers can make a huge difference in the world and it’s encouraging to know that parents think likewise.

“Every year I host events for young people at The Big Bang Fair and see them inspired by engineers who are helping to save the environment, develop medical procedures, keep us safe, help animals and even entertain us!

“The first ever Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly is the perfect opportunity for young people to find out more about how engineering careers can make a positive difference to society – and it’s not too late for schools and students to sign up!”

More information on how to get involved is available at tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/teweek.

Schools can sign up to be part of the Big Assembly at bigassembly.org.