Overview
Previous EngineeringUK research shows that just 24% of those working in engineering come from low socio-economic backgrounds. A higher proportion of engineering and technology undergraduate students had highly educated parents, grew up in more affluent areas and attended privately funded schools, compared to the average UK HE student. (As shown by the most recent figures from Higher Education (HE))
This briefing details how responses to questions in our Engineering Brand Monitor (EBM) survey differed across young people from different social backgrounds. Is young people’s social background associated with their knowledge about engineering, educational and career pathways to engineering, engagement with STEM careers activities and aspirations relating to engineering? And to what extent do responses to questions about engagement with career activities and engineering differ between their parents?
Impact of socio-economic background on early perceptions of engineering
Who this is for
- Policymakers
- Researchers
- Teachers
- Careers leads
- STEM outreach organisations
Key findings
- 58% of young people from low education and income backgrounds indicated that one or both parents think science is very interesting, compared with 80% of young people from high education and income backgrounds
- 39% of young people from low education and income background stated that their teacher has specifically encouraged them to continue with science education, compared with 61% of young people from high education and income backgrounds
- 43% of young people from low education and income backgrounds indicated they thought engineering would be a suitable career for them, compared with 66% of young people from high education and income backgrounds
- 48% of young people from low education and income backgrounds indicated they know what engineers do in their jobs, compared with 69% of young people from high education and income backgrounds
