The organisations are being coordinated by the Engineering the Future (EtF) Policy Group. EtF is an alliance of professional engineering institutions and national organisations that between them represent 450,000 professional engineers.
The EtF said in a statement: “The result of the EU referendum will have a material effect on UK engineering which accounts for some 27% of UK GDP and over half of our exports. It is critical to the future of the UK that the government’s plan is informed by a clear understanding of the potential solutions, opportunities and risks from the perspective of UK engineering.”
In this context, it will be important to ensure that the UK maintains its position as a centre of world class engineering research, remains embedded in setting globally recognised codes and standards, has access to the skills that industry needs and retains competitiveness in export markets.
At a meeting on 29 June, the organisations agreed that they must cooperate to provide evidence-based advice to government and ensure that the needs of all sectors that have a dependence on engineering are represented and understood. They have asked the Royal Academy of Engineering, with its natural position as a convener of UK engineering, and close links with government, to lead this work.
“Never in my lifetime has there been an issue that so emphatically requires strategic collaboration across the engineering profession,” said Philip Greenish CBE, chief executive of the Academy. “We are rising to this challenge and pooling our resources to provide government with the best advice and access to our networks to inform its planning and leadership role. We are building a new, proactive framework for making engineering advice available to government on these critical matters for now and for the duration of the change process.”
A project has been established to consult widely across engineering and beyond, gather evidence, analyse the risks and opportunities and produce advice to underpin a strong negotiating position and a positive result for the UK.
Nigel Fine, chief executive of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, said: “This is a period of huge change and uncertainty so it’s imperative that we work together to ensure the best outcomes for UK engineering, which is so important to a vibrant and successful economy. We will do everything we can to ensure the interests of engineers and UK engineering are represented as strongly as possible.”
