Be your own boss, says minister
Government minister Esther McVey has said that university is not the only option, highlighting opportunities for young people to set up their own businesses.
Alison Carr, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) said: “Nowhere is this more relevant than in the engineering world. Of the 565,230 engineering companies in the UK, 97 per cent of them are either small or micro businesses.
“We have a growing skills gap in the engineering sector - we need to find 87,000 new engineers each year for the next decade - so there is an urgent need to promote the range of routes available for those thinking about a career in engineering.
“Engineering has a central role to play in rebalancing the economy and it is the SMEs, the lifeblood of the economy that will make this a reality.
“There is a variety of routes into engineering, including academic and vocational, which lead to an exciting range of career opportunities, including self-employment.”
