Young shun 'boring' engineering as 'a world of lumpy objects'

Chris Wise of Expedition Engineering, who worked to create the London 2012 Velodrome and is a member of the Institution for Structural Engineers, suggests that young engineers are being discouraged by the idea that industry is all about regulations and compliance, instead of being driven by design and enjoyment. "Young people may be put off engineering because they can't see any role models," he says. "They need to be inspired, not lectured at. It would be great to change the mindset away from rules and formulae towards infinite possibility, amazing performance and life-enhancing achievement. "At the moment, instead of asking young people to visualise engineering as the chance to design something fantastic and futuristic, a spaceship or a self-sustaining city, they are dragged into a world of lumpy objects whose time has passed." Professor John Nolan, president of The Institution of Structural Engineers which is campaigning to inspire creativity in potential engineers, commented: "Engineers are the creators of tomorrow's world. Events such as the Olympics, which take place on the world stage and entail the showcasing of purpose built structures, inspire a much needed new generation of engineers."