A government plan to create a Nobel prize style award for engineering has been backed by leading aerospace and defence manufacturers.
The award could help inspire youngsters into industry and give UK manufacturing the edge on international rivals said ADS- the trade association for aerospace, defence and security sectors.
ADS chief Ian Godden said: "If we are to stay at the top of the tree in advanced manufacturing then ideas such as this one, which will seize the attention of current students to aspire to global greatness, must be strongly supported."
The prize revealed in the Growth review was an "excellent idea" Godden added.
The government said it was keen to promote an international engineering prize that fueled excitement around engineering careers.
Talks have begun with industry on financing the award, the Growth review revealed.
The initiative could help protect the future of the UK's £60billion aerospace, defence, security and space sectors concluded Godden.
"The UK is number one in Europe and second only to the US globally in aerospace and defence. …This is what is at stake for the future and it is why we must do all we can to retain and grow our global market share in engineering."