Avengers assemble to inspire next generation of engineering superheroes

The government’s Year of Engineering campaign is launching a partnership with popular comic brand Marvel to encourage more young people from different backgrounds to pursue the profession.

Children aged seven to 16 are being encouraged to take the More Heroes Needed aptitude test online. It lets them find out what qualities they share with iconic Marvel characters like Iron Man and the Hulk, before offering advice on how those strengths could translate into a career in engineering.

The test aims to show children that they possess many talents that would allow them to thrive in the world of engineering, as well as demonstrate that engineering is about curiosity, creativity and collaboration as much as it is about academic ability.

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The UK engineering industry is facing a skills shortage of unprecedented levels. Last year, not-for-profit organisation EngineeringUK, which aims to promote the vital contribution of engineers, engineering and technology to our society, reported that 1.8 million new engineers are needed by 2025.

Launching the partnership on Wednesday, Year of Engineering minister Nusrat Chani was joined by pupils from Berger Primary School in Hackney, at the highly-anticipated S.T.A.T.I.O.N. Marvel exhibiton in London. A team of “real-life superheroes”, including a comic book science expert and a former female army engineer, were also present.

Ghani said: “The characters who inhabit the Marvel universe are famed for achieving amazing things against all odds – something engineers do on a daily basis. Whether it’s tackling the problems of climate change, helping to provide clean water and energy in developing nations or using technology to help us live healthier, more independent lives, the engineering profession is full of its very own superheroes.

“I’m certain this partnership will encourage many young people to look again at their own amazing abilities and realise that while they may never possess the strength of the Hulk, they could one day move mountains as an engineer.”

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Marvel is the latest in a long line of big names to join the campaign. Since the start of 2018, the government has worked with over 1,400 partners to transform the perception of engineering among children and tackle the engineering skills gap.

Research carried out during the first half of the year indicates that these efforts are starting to bear fruit, with the number of 7-11 year-olds who say they would consider an engineering career up by 36%.

The Year of Engineering is encouraging parents to take the aptitude test with their children over the Christmas holidays, and take a look at the wide range of curriculum-based resources now available on the website that will “keep kids busy and entertained” over the festive season.