At this year’s Strictly Highways event, Susan Scurlock MBE, Founder & Chief Executive of Primary Engineer, delivered an engaging and impactful session on the importance of inspiring younger generations to consider careers in engineering. The session, which received a great deal of positive feedback from attendees, highlighted the critical need to change perceptions of engineering, starting at the primary school level, in order to build a robust and diverse skills pipeline for the future.
Susan began by emphasising how sectors like highways face significant challenges in attracting young talent. She spoke about the growing need for half a million young engineers in the UK and addressed the common concern across industries: where will this new talent come from? Her response was clear – by “planting the engineering seed” early in children’s formative years, industries can create a sustainable interest in engineering as a career.
The Role of Primary Engineer in Shaping the Future
Primary Engineer has been working with schools, teachers, and engineers across various sectors to develop innovative educational programmes. Over the past year, the initiative has grown significantly, now engaging 2,100 schools, 117,000 pupils, 6,600 teachers, and 1,600 engineers. These programmes provide not just learning opportunities for children but also hands-on support for teachers, helping them integrate engineering into their classrooms.
One of the most compelling elements of Susan’s presentation was her emphasis on the need for early exposure to engineering environments. By partnering with industry experts, Primary Engineer provides children with real-world experiences – whether that’s engineers attending classroom sessions or students visiting industrial sites. These experiences, Susan explained, can make a lasting impact by showing children what engineering looks like and how it can fit into their futures.
A Strong Partnership with LCRIG
During the session, Susan Scurlock also touched on the valued partnership between Primary Engineer and the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG). This collaboration plays a vital role in driving engagement across the highways sector, helping to connect the industry with schools and young people. By working together, Primary Engineer and LCRIG are creating opportunities for children to explore engineering in a real-world context, laying the foundation for a future generation of skilled engineers. Susan expressed enthusiasm about the potential of this partnership, particularly in how it supports both education and industry needs.
Changing Perceptions and the Power of Engagement
Susan shared touching examples of how these programmes are reshaping children’s perceptions of themselves and their potential. She recounted stories of students, once considered “difficult” by their teachers, who became leaders in the classroom when exposed to engineering projects. These examples demonstrated the power of engagement and how introducing children to problem-solving through engineering can not only spark their interest but also transform their behaviour and outlook.
A major takeaway from the session was the importance of engineers playing an active role in outreach efforts. Engineers, Susan noted, are crucial in making the profession accessible to young people. By connecting with teachers and providing context for classroom projects, engineers help students understand the real-world applications of their studies and inspire them to pursue engineering careers.
A Growing Movement Supported by Positive Feedback
Primary Engineer’s outreach isn’t limited to just a single visit to schools. The organisation has developed a comprehensive system that includes training for teachers, competitions, qualifications, and even sector-specific projects. These initiatives have been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from schools and industries alike. The collaborative approach across sectors ensures a unified effort to attract the next generation of engineers, and the feedback from schools and participants reflects this success. One key programme highlighted by Susan is the “If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?” competition, which has seen thousands of entries from students across the UK, showcasing their innovation and creativity.
In closing, Susan reiterated the importance of continuing to invest in this community-driven effort. As engineering sectors, including highways, face the challenge of attracting new talent, initiatives like Primary Engineer provide a roadmap for creating a thriving skills pipeline.
To learn more about Susan’s session and see the full presentation, you can watch the session video here.