With a growing population placing ever-greater pressure on resources and clamoring for new technology, engineers are in demand like never before. But expanding the talent pool is a global challenge.

“The well-being of the world largely depends on the work of the engineer,” said Sir William Halcrow, one of the 20th century’s most distinguished practitioners. He believed that for those with “imagination and keenness,” there could not be a better profession.

Engineers have made, and continue to make, a vital contribution to the advancement of society. Now, as the world faces a rapidly increasing population along with the inexorable rise of urbanization, the opportunities for skilled engineers are practically limitless.

Shrinking pool

Yet despite this, engineers’ numbers are shrinking. In recent years there has been much talk of a talent war and, particularly in developed economies, there is the issue of too many baby boomers poised to retire and too few young people picking up the baton. Overall, many countries are seeing a slump in people enrolling in engineering courses.

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