MPs warn of engineering skills gap

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The MPs said they were "shocked" to discover that engineering advice was absent, or barely featured, in the formulation of key policies including eco-towns, renewable energy and large IT projects.

They recommended the creation of a Government Chief Engineer to raise the status of the profession within Whitehall and called for more trained and experienced engineers at all levels of the civil service.

The report by the cross-party House of Commons Universities, Innovation and Skills Committee warned that the Government lacks sufficient in-house engineering expertise to exploit Britain's world-class engineering base. And it said that the Government is failing to seek timely engineering advice and lacks detailed strategic planning for engineering policy.

Many officials do not have adequate knowledge of the engineering sector to decide who to seek advice from and, crucially, when to ask for it, said the committee.

A "master roadmap" should be produced to give a clear and detailed plan for delivering the next generation of nuclear power stations. And the committee warned that the Government would be "negligent" not to consider the potential of geo-engineering technologies to tackle global warming.

Geo-engineering would involve the deliberate modification of Earth's environment on a large scale to ensure it remains comfortably habitable.

Proposals for geo-engineering projects to counter climate change include iron fertilisation of the oceans to lock up carbon or the use of pale roof and paving materials to reflect back sunlight.

Chairman Phil Willis said: "Engineering is one of the UK's great strengths. While we've been critical about aspects of Government policy and called for significant changes to be made, we should not forget the positives.

"Our engineering research base is one of the best in the world and our engineers continue to be sought after to lead on prestigious global projects. The Government is making efforts to improve the recognition of the engineering community."