There are plenty of reasons to become an engineer: higher earning potential, job flexibility, healthy work-life balance, opportunities to travel, options to specialise, and, as engineering is a growing sector, job security. Importantly, engineering also provides the chance to express your creativity and work collaboratively while solving problems and improving people’s lives. [1] Still, one reason to become an engineer often gets overlooked, yet it could prove key to attracting new talent and bridging the skills gap. That is the prestige and respect that goes along with being an engineer.
Quick Links
- 1 Unusual Reason to Become an Engineer: Trust
- What Makes Engineers Trustworthy?
- Why Work in Engineering?
- Why Become an Engineer?
- Reasons to Become an Engineer
- Further Information
1 Unusual Reason to Become an Engineer: Trust
Perhaps not as appealing as job security, travel, or salary, nevertheless, people often place significant trust in engineers simply because they belong to such a reputable profession. This is a notable benefit and could be integral to bridging the engineering skills gap. Trust and prestige go a long way to providing job fulfilment, which might be just the reason you, or a recruit, needs to choose a career in engineering.
Ipsos UK Veracity Index 2024: Engineers the UK’s Second Most Trusted Profession
Ipsos UK has conducted the Veracity Index, which measures the perceived trustworthiness of professions, annually since 1983. Despite this, Ipsos UK has included engineers as a profession in only the last six surveys, at the request of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). Nevertheless, engineers have consistently ranked as one of the UK’s most trusted professions.
| Year | % Who Trust Engineers to Tell the Truth |
| 2019 | 86% |
| 2020 | 89% |
| 2021 | 84% |
| 2022 | 87% |
| 2023 | 85% |
| 2024 | 90% |
The survey is conducted by asking British adults the following question: “Now I will read you a list of different types of people. For each would you tell me if you generally trust them to tell the truth, or not?” [2]
('Veracity Index 2024' bar chart from Ipsos, Ipsos UK Veracity Index 2024, last accessed 06 August 2025.)
Since their inclusion in the survey, engineers have always been amongst the top ten most trusted professions, dropping to a "low" of sixth in 2021 (84%). In both 2020 and 2024, engineers were the second most trusted profession behind nurses but ahead of doctors. Moreover, in the most recent survey (2024), engineers attained a 90% trust score, their highest to date. Notably, this score was consistent with both male and female respondents, with only four percentage points separating the two (Male: 92%; Female: 88%).
('Trust in professions by gender' bar chart from Ipsos, Ipsos UK Veracity Index 2024, last accessed 06 August 2025.)
What Makes Engineers Trustworthy?
There are several theories as to why engineers are considered trustworthy. One is that the public views engineering as a challenging career path that requires expertise in maths and science. Consequently, people are likely to regard engineers with a certain level of prestige. [3] The regulatory body Engineers Canada echoes and expands this view, remarking that people often view engineers as individuals who have “clearly demonstrated their competence and commitment to developing their skills and knowledge within their field." [4]
Engineering Industry Insights
Speaking specifically to the findings of the Ipsos 2024 Veracity Index, Paul Bailey, CEO of the Engineering Council, attributes the trustworthiness of engineers to their professionalism and professional registration. Bailey says:
“Such a high level of trust in engineers is primarily down to their high level of professionalism which is exemplified by professional registration with the Engineering Council, a means of providing that assurance of competence and a continuing commitment to professionally develop.” [5]
(The Engineering Council is a regulatory authority for the registration of chartered and incorporated engineering technicians.)
Similarly, when IChemE’s President, Nigel Hirst, was asked about Ipsos’ 2023 Veracity Index, in which engineers received an 85% trust score, he credited this to engineers' professionalism, professional registration, and technical excellence. Hirst remarked:
“The professionalism, high ethical standards, and technical excellence demonstrated by the engineering disciplines over the decades has earned respect and trust from the public.
I believe that professional registration is a key factor to this high trust placed in engineers, as it demonstrates technical competence, commitment, and advanced responsibility to employers and the public at large.” [6]
(IChemE, the Institute of Chemical Engineers, is a global professional engineering institution.)
Why Work In Engineering?
Research by EngineeringUK, in conjunction with Lightcast, found that approximately 6 million people work in the UK’s engineering and technology sector. That means about a fifth of jobs (19%) are in engineering and tech. Despite this, a quarter (25%) of UK job adverts are for positions within these industries. This disparity indicates the fast rate at which these sectors are growing and the resultant recruitment challenges companies face when attempting to meet the demands of the future. EngineeringUK states that the engineering and technology industry is predicted to grow faster than any other UK sector. Projections indicate that it will grow 2.8% by 2030, exceeding the UK’s average growth projection of 2.3%.
(Graph, Figure 2., from EngineeringUK & Lightcast, Engineering skills needs – now and into the future, last accessed 06 August 2025, p15.)
In the same study, EngineeringUK noted that over the past five years (2016/2017-2022), there has been a 55% increase in ‘green’ roles among engineering job postings. Additionally, the study found that between 2022 and 2021, engineering vacancies that listed a ‘green skill’ increased by 48% compared to 2016/2017. That translates to 212 000 job advertisements! [7]
(Graph, Figure 44., from EngineeringUK & Lightcast, Engineering skills needs – now and into the future, last accessed 06 August 2025, p61.)
Similarly, Mithila Nanda, Engineering Manager at Vattenfall Heat UK, told The Engineer magazine that to meet net zero targets by 2050, National Grid would “have to create and fill 400 000 low carbon jobs.” She subsequently explains that the heat networks sector, essential for decarbonising heating, an activity that currently accounts for one-third of the UK’s carbon emissions, could create an estimated 81 000 jobs by 2030. [8]
Commenting on the increasing demand for ‘green engineers’ and the overall projected growth of the sector, Dr Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, said:
“Given the soaring demand for engineers across all sectors, it’s essential that the UK has a robust plan and funding in place to train the future workforce, bringing more young people from all backgrounds into engineering and technology, alongside reskilling the current workforce.
With the growth in skills for green jobs, and the central role engineers and technicians play in transitioning to a green economy and addressing climate change, ensuring the sector has the skilled workforce needed to thrive is more important than ever.” [9]
Bridging the Engineering Skills Gap
Dr Leevers believes it is essential to broaden the perception of engineering to bridge the skills gap. This is important for attracting young people to the industry who might otherwise have overlooked the sector, mistakenly believing they do not have the skills to succeed. She tells The Engineer that EngineeringUK surveyed over 2000 young people and found that “45% are drawn to roles that foster creativity.” [10] From these findings, Dr Leevers concludes that “we would benefit from highlighting the creative aspects of engineering and technology.” [11]
The salary and work-life benefits of engineering are apparent. The opportunity to be creative is perhaps less obvious. As such, maybe the sector should emphasise the less prominent advantages of being an engineer, such as the opportunity to solve problems creatively, in addition to the more tangible benefits like job security and higher earning potential.
Considering this alongside Ipsos’ 2024 findings that engineers are the second most trusted profession in the UK, highlighting the reverence and respect afforded to engineers may go some way to filling the skills gap. In stressing that this elevated degree of trust contributes significantly to job fulfilment, the sector may attract new talent looking for a rewarding role that offers the opportunity to be creative while providing an excellent standard of living.
Why Become an Engineer?
However, attracting talent to engineering isn’t simply about highlighting its advantages. Engineering has long suffered from a diversity problem. Unless this issue is addressed, the sector will be unable to bridge the skills gap and meet the demands of the future. Therefore, it is, once again, essential that the perception of engineering is broadened to appeal to underrepresented groups. More than this, the sector also needs to be welcoming of and accessible to diverse demographics.
(Infographics from EngineeringUK, Women in engineering and diversity challenges, last accessed 06 August 2025.)
Minding the Gender Gap
The most notable underrepresentation within engineering is that of women. Despite Ipsos’ discovery that 88% of British adult women trust engineers, only 16.9% of the engineering and technology workforce are women.
EngineeringUK believes this problem originates in schools. Research commissioned by EngineeringUK found that, while 23% of male students who studied A-level maths or physics went on to study engineering and technology degrees, only 8% of comparable female students did the same. As a result, only 18% of engineering and technology first-year university students are women, markedly lower than the total percentage of female first-year undergraduates, 57%.
(Infographic from EngineeringUK, From A Levels to Engineering: Exploring the gender gap in higher education, last accessed 06 August 2025.)
The same study also uncovered that, based on current A-level to undergraduate conversion rates, 150 000 girls would need to take maths or physics at A-Level to match the number of male undergraduates studying engineering and technology. That would mean an additional 115 000 girls would need to enrol on A-level maths and physics courses.
Commenting on the research, Dr Claudia Mollidor, Head of Research and Evaluation at EngineeringUK, explains that:
“The gender disparity within undergraduate degrees in engineering and technology is really concerning. Given that A levels in maths and physics are often prerequisites for such degrees, we need to do more to make sure these subjects are attractive and accessible to girls at school. Particularly given we know girls perform as well as boys, or even outperform them, in these subjects.
Cultivating this interest and appetite at an early stage will be crucial, so that when it comes to selecting GCSEs and A levels, girls are informed and inspired to choose subjects that will allow them to progress into engineering and tech careers.” [12]
Another industry leader, Trish Johnson, Bridge Master at Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, echoes these sentiments:
“As someone who has navigated this path, I know the importance of promoting STEM education early, increasing the visibility of female engineers, and implementing supportive workplace policies. […] Gender equality in engineering is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential for the growth and innovation of the industry. Diverse teams bring different perspectives and solutions, enhancing creativity and problem-solving capability.” [13]
Diversifying Engineering
Trish Johnson's observations (above) aren't just pertinent to closing the gender gap. If individuals from minority ethic groups, disabled people, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds can’t see themselves represented in the engineering sector, how will they know this pathway is open to them?
Dr Hilary Leevers believes that effective engagement with students from priority schools is critical; i.e. those schools with high proportions of students from demographics underrepresented in engineering. It is hoped that, by showcasing modern engineering careers, students will see these professions as available to them. Consequently, pupils may be inspired to make subject choices that would enable them to become engineers. [14]
In addition to this, Dr Leevers also stresses the importance of facilitating vocational routes, such as apprenticeships and T-levels. Vocational routes are vital for attracting talent that might otherwise be put off by the expense of university. [15] Writing for The Engineer, Dr Leevers suggests that:
“Employers can help by creating and promoting apprenticeships, especially at entry-level where they have been in decline, and by being thoughtful in recruitment criteria to be as inclusive as possible. They might also offer support for those who would otherwise struggle to participate (e.g., covering travel expenses).” [16]
Reasons to Become an Engineer
Trust may be one of the more unusual reasons to become an engineer, but it is far from the only reason to become an engineer. As highlighted throughout this article, engineering offers a unique opportunity to utilise creativity for the benefit of others and to provide solutions for some of the most serious problems facing society, e.g., the climate crisis.
Pressure to meet net zero targets means there is an increasing need for ‘green engineers’. Other engineering specialities match or exceed this demand for new talent. As such, the engineering and technology sector is projected to have higher growth than the UK average. This, in turn, offers job security and opportunities to specialise in a variety of engineering areas.
Finally, the drive to diversify engineering isn't just to meet the skills and labour demands of the future. The initiative will also ensure that engineers are providing the most innovative and inclusive solutions. It is the responsibility of the engineering sector (and government) to provide routes into the industry and support for traditionally underrepresented demographics. However, diversification offers the chance to expand the scope of engineering to the benefit of traditionally underserved communities. As such, now is an exciting and rewarding time to work in engineering, which is potentially another good reason to become an engineer.
Further Information
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In the meantime, below you can read more about engineering and notable engineers.
National Tradesmen Day: Helping Tradespeople with Their Mental Health
International Women in Engineering Day: Dame Caroline Haslett
International Men’s Day: Shannon & Turing, Fathers of the Information Age
International Women’s Day: Hertha Ayrton, the First Female Member of the IET
Footnotes
- Engineers Canada, Reasons why people become engineers, last accessed 06 August 2025.
- Indeed Editorial Team, ‘Why Become an Engineer?: 11 Reasons To Consider’, Indeed, last accessed 06 August 2025.
- Northumbria University, Why Study Engineering?, last accessed 06 August 2025.
[2] Data collected from the following reports:
- Ipsos, Ipsos MORI Veracity Index 2019, last accessed 06 August 2025.
- Ipsos, Ipsos MORI Veracity Index 2020, last accessed 06 August 2025.
- Ipsos, Ipsos MORI Veracity Index 2021, last accessed 06 August 2025.
- Ipsos, Ipsos Veracity Index 2022, last accessed 06 August 2025.
- Ipsos, Ipsos Veracity Index 2023, last accessed 06 August 2025.
- Ipsos, Ipsos UK Veracity Index 2024, last accessed 06 August 2025.
Data was collected through face-to-face fieldwork before 2020. From 2020 onwards, data collection has been conducted via telephone surveys. The number of participants varies year on year. Nonetheless, all reports contain responses from at least 1000 British adults. Ipsos defined adults as individuals aged 18+ in the 2020 and 2021 Veracity Indexes. The 2022, 2023 and 2024 surveys defined adults as individuals aged 16+, while the 2019 Ipsos Veracity Index defined adults as people above the age of 15. Further details of each index's methodology can be found in the reports.
[3] Indeed Editorial Team, ‘Why Become an Engineer?: 11 Reasons To Consider’.
[4] Engineers Canada, Reasons why people become engineers.
[5] Kellie M, ‘Engineers make top five of most trusted professions, Ipsos survey finds’, Building Engineer, last accessed 06 August 2025.
[6] Adam Duckett, ‘Engineers among the most trusted profession’, The Chemical Engineer, last accessed 06 August 2025.
[7] EngineeringUK & Lightcast, Engineering skills needs – now and into the future, last accessed 06 August 2025, p7 & p61.
[8] Mithila Nanda, ‘Comment: Diversity across STEM can help UK hit net zero targets’, The Engineer, last accessed 06 August 2025.
[9] EngineeringUK, Green engineering roles increase by 55% over the last 5 years, last accessed 06 August 2025.
[10] Dr Hilary Leevers, ‘Value Proposition’, The Engineer, 302.7961 (Nov 2024), 48.
[11] Dr Hilary Leevers, ‘Value Proposition’.
[12] EngineeringUK, 115,000 more girls need to study maths or physics A levels to bridge gender gap in higher education, last accessed 06 August 2025.
[13] Trish Johnson, ‘Comment: Bridging the gender divide’, The Engineer, last accessed 06 August 2025.
[14] Dr Hilary Leevers, ‘Blog: Dr Hilary Leevers’ top 5 takeaways from 2023’, The Engineer, last accessed 06 August 2025.
[15] Dr Hilary Leevers, ‘Blog: Dr Hilary Leevers’ top 5 takeaways from 2023’.
[16] Dr Hilary Leevers, ‘Value Proposition’.
