The Government sees science, engineering and technology as critical to our success as an economic power and to improving the quality of our lives, whether it is our health or the environment. That is why as a result of SR2002 the expenditure on the science and engineering base will be increasing at a rate of 10% per annum in real terms over the next three years, why we have introduced R and D tax credits for large and small companies and why we have increased the incentives for knowledge transfer from our universities by introducing schemes such as University Challenge, Science Enterprise Centres and the Higher Education Innovation Fund.
But at the same time we know that we will not be able to achieve our ambitions for science and engineering if many of our brightest and best young people do not take up careers in science and engineering having first acquired the necessary scientific, technological and entrepreneurial skills. It is one of the paradoxes of our modern world, that at a time when it crystal clear that science and engineering will play an increasing role in all our lives, young people across the globe are turning away from science and engineering. In this country we are not too badly placed. But rather than seeing this as a cause for complacency we should see it as a great opportunity, because I believe that the countries which can best enthuse their young people about the excitement of science and engineering will achieve a great advantage both economically and socially in the future.
That is why the Government supported the change of the Engineering Council into the ETB, and even provided some money to help it make the change. We believe that engineering makes a major contribution to our national life but we believe it could do more. And we did not believe that the Engineering Council was achieving its full potential. In particular we believed that we needed a new body which would represent the whole engineering community and which would work more closely with industry. We also felt that if it was going to win the support of the institutions it would need to show that it could add real value to the engineering community.
I am therefore delighted that the ETB has moved so rapidly to produce a practical agenda for change and has set itself five key objectives -
I believe that this agenda for change has the potential to make a real difference and to add real value to the engineering community. There are three aspects of it I would particularly like to highlight. I strongly support the launch of a major campaign to convey to young people the challenges and excitement of modern engineering. In a world of bio-engineering, nanotechnology, aerospace, opto-electronics and global positioning systems we ought to be able to communicate to young people that the physical sciences and engineering have as much to offer as biology, and that these industries are as much a part of our exciting future as biotechnology.
Secondly, we need to make certain that our system of qualifications for engineering is fit for purpose and delivers real premiums in the labour market. I don't think our young people are afraid to tackle difficult subjects but they need to know that if they are successful in achieving particular qualifications the qualifications are relevant and valued by industry and will, therefore, lead to good jobs and rich rewards in the labour market.
Thirdly, I am extremely pleased that the ETB's agenda for change has a strong focus on the intermediate and technicians level. All the comparisons with other countries and all the reports from industry show that this is where we have the biggest problems.
In this campaign to enthuse more of our young people to take up careers in science and engineering, the Government is playing its part. We are setting up with the Wellcome Trust a new National Centre for Excellence in Science Teaching, we are funding the recommendations of the Roberts Report, we are putting more money into school science laboratories and we have strongly supported the setting-up of the Science and Engineering Ambassadors Scheme.
We believe that Science and Engineering Ambassadors, young professionals who have careers in science and engineering, are well placed to go into schools to act as role models for the children, to mentor them, to run clubs and to talk to parents about careers in science and technology and I am delighted that the ETB are moving rapidly to merge their long-standing Neighbourhood Engineers Scheme into the Science and Engineering Ambassadors Scheme.
But while the Government is playing its part, we are under no illusions that we can do very much unless this agenda for change is driven forward by the ETB and the engineering community itself. Partnership is also essential. There has not been a lack of initiatives in the past to encourage young people to take up careers in engineering. In fact there have probably been too many. They have also been fragmented and intermittent and, therefore, have not had much impact and not been good value for money.
This time we can't afford such a luxury. The ETB have shown in their business plan that they recognise the need for partnership. There are numerous organisations actively supporting STEM activities. They include: SETNET, the British Association, the Regional Development Agencies, Trade Associations, Charities, Industry, Institutions, Government and this museum. In their business plan, the ETB have proposed an integrated campaign that will draw all of these parties together in a more "joined-up" approach, and in this they have the Government's full support.
Finally, can I say a word about women in science and engineering. This is a crusade which I believe the ETB should take on, and I have challenged the ETB to come up with five specific projects which will help to change the under-representation of women in science. I am saying this not because my Secretary of State is a woman, but because at a time when we want more young people to take up careers in science and technology it is absurd to waste the talents of those whom we have already expensively educated and trained.
The agenda for change that the ETB has set itself is not an easy one. It will require the co-operation of a lot of individuals and organisations, it will require systematic analysis of the problems and rapid and focused implementation of new initiatives. But I think the prize is a considerable one and I believe the ETB's proposals have the potential to add real value to the engineering community, and to make a real difference.
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