Government warned that ditching GCSE engineering will add to skills crisis

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has warned that Government’s proposal to ditch GCSE engineering could add to the profession’s looming skills crisis and so create even bigger problems for UK over-stretched employers.

Antony Oliver
22 August 2014

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The proposal to scrap GCSE, AS and A level courses in engineering were announced in a consultation document published by England's exams regulator Ofqual in June, as part of a major reform of school exams.

Ofqual proposes to streamline the number of GCSE courses in manufacturing, electronics and engineering as a result of low numbers of students studying the subjects. 

“It is imperative that GCSE engineering be reformed rather than removed. One of the reasons given for removing this subject is due to the low student numbers. However, the results published today show a large increase.” Paul Davies, IET Head of Policy.

However, GCSEs in engineering were taken by 5027 students in 2014, a figure that was up 73% from 2897 in 2013, and this year saw 41.6% achieving A* - C grade. 

Ofqual's consultation paper said that subjects to be cut are those which are similar to, or overlap other courses. However other courses, such as electronics and information and communication technology, it says, will be reformed to create new, tougher qualifications.

The IET has already highlighted its concerns to Ofqual and favours reform of the qualification rather than removal. 

“It is imperative that GCSE engineering be reformed rather than removed,” said Paul Davies, IET Head of Policy. “One of the reasons given for removing this subject is due to the low student numbers. However, the results published today show a large increase.”

The IET’s 2014 Engineering and Technology: Skills & Demand in Industry Annual Survey revealed that 59 per cent of companies indicated concerns that a shortage of engineers would be a threat to their businesses. 

Davies pointed out that GCSE engineering was widely recognised as a significant route to providing the crucial technical skills that young people need to succeed in industry and said that, according to the IET Skills Survey, 44% of engineering, IT and technical recruits do not meet the employer’s expected levels of skills.” 

“It is important to engage students with the discipline of engineering as early as possible. These subjects build on key skills applicable to many areas and develop a systems-thinking approach in addition to allowing for the application of mathematics,” he said.

“It is unclear whether these skills will be adequately covered by the proposed Design and Technology syllabus.  The fact of the matter is that the UK has a shortage of engineers and the removal of these subjects sends the wrong message about their importance to the UK’s economy.

“We believe that rigorous, highly valued qualifications should exist in engineering and technology areas that will be vital to the nation’s future and that all education policy makers should seek to maximise the take up of these qualifications.”