Engineering the Future: The Solutions Are Here—Is the Profession Ready to Back Them?

A response to an article by Engineers Australia: https://lnkd.in/gXnhbyEn and a post by Karl Darenbergson

For over 27 years, my team and I have dedicated ourselves to addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing engineering: attracting the next generation of bright minds to pursue engineering and STEM careers. Through programs like F1 in Schools, SUBS in Schools, and SPACE in Schools—built on over 17 years of research and success in STEM education—we have demonstrated that the solutions to this challenge exist. These programs have proven incredibly effective, with 78% of participating students changing their career aspirations to pursue Engineering or STEM fields. The results are measurable, scalable, and impactful.

Yet, despite the remarkable outcomes we’ve achieved, our greatest challenge is not engaging the students or schools—it’s resistance from within our own profession.

We encounter what I can only describe week after week as a “not invented here” mentality. This reluctance to support or embrace successful initiatives not born within certain institutions or organizations has become a significant barrier. Instead of championing proven programs like F1 in Schools, SUBS in Schools, and SPACE in Schools, we see Engineers Australia (EA) and other professional bodies focusing their energies elsewhere—on social issues trending on social media, such as net zero and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).

While these issues may be issues to resolve, they should not overshadow the core mission of promoting the engineering profession.

?Let me be clear: engineers are critical to every aspect of modern life. The profession underpins society's progress from infrastructure to technology, from the environment to the economy. Yet, engineering remains undervalued and underappreciated. Why? Because we, as a profession, have yet to effectively market who we are, what we do, and why it matters.

When did you last see a robust public campaign highlighting how engineers are leaders in our society without it sinking into a discussion of DEI? While other professions, such as medicine, focus on building respect and trust, engineering has taken a backseat, seemingly content to follow the zeitgeist rather than lead. If this trend continues, we risk eroding the profession’s standing and our ability to inspire young people to join us.

Other professions don’t shy away from prioritizing their core mission. Doctors focus on saving lives. Lawyers uphold justice. Engineers, too, must prioritize engineering—and we need our representative bodies to lead this charge.

Programs like F1 in Schools, SUBS in Schools, and SPACE in Schools are already delivering incredible results. These initiatives don’t just teach students about STEM—they inspire them to pursue it. Students in these programs develop essential 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking. They engage in project-based learning that connects classroom theory to real-world applications.

These programs also expose students to the possibilities of STEM careers, creating excitement and momentum for their future. Notably, the data shows their impact: 78% of students participating in these programs changed their career aspirations to focus on Engineering or STEM fields (the other 22% were most likely already committed to becoming Engineers). This is the kind of outcome the profession desperately needs.

The solutions are here. They are ready. But they need the profession to step up.

To my fellow engineers and industry leaders: imagine what we could achieve if we rallied behind initiatives like these, set aside the tall poppy syndrome that has become so destructive in Australian society, and collectively focused on what we do best—engineering.

Imagine the impact of a profession united not by the latest social media trends but by a shared vision of inspiring and empowering the next generation.

The time to act is now. Let’s lead with purpose, champion what works, and show the world why engineering matters more than ever.