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Almost 80% of those working full-time were in engineering roles
22/07/2015
Fewer than half of graduates become engineers
Chemical engineers more likely to work in discipline
Richard Jansen-Parkes
FEWER than half of UK engineering graduates begin professional engineering jobs, according to a survey from the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng)
The survey looked at more than 10,000 engineering students who graduated from 90 different UK universities in 2012. It found that almost two-thirds were in full-time work within six months of graduating, with 12.5% taking part in full-time further study and the rest unemployed, working part-time, travelling or something else.
However, of those that were in full-time work more than 40% were employed in non-engineering roles. Ultimately, just 38.8% of graduates were working as professional engineers.
RAEng director of engineering and education Rhys Morgan suggests that some graduates may be avoiding a career in the profession because of a lack of visibility of employers on campus.
“At the same time a range of other businesses from finance, retail and many other sectors will be providing attractive offers,” he adds. “We need to work harder to show engineering students the exciting career opportunities on offer to them if they take up careers in the subject they chose”.
The figures for chemical engineering graduates offered some comfort to industrial recruiters. Almost 80% of those working full-time were in engineering roles.
