Cosworth

We welcome The Queen Elizabeth Engineering Prize as a way to shine a light on the vital role engineering has within the UK economy. 

What concerns me, though, is how few people have a genuine understanding of what engineering is, how little is publicized about the achievements that the UK is making in this area and how the education and career opportunities in UK engineering are barely on the radar for many UK students.

The truth of the matter is that the UK remains at the forefront of engineering - the role of applying science to design and production of structures and machines.  Companies like Cosworth struggle to find enough skilled people for the jobs we have and we feel that many people are unaware of the opportunity and financially-rewarding careers that engineering offers.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, commented at the announcement of the prize that "we are bringing engineering home".  I say straight to him that engineering never left.  The sound-bite may have been crafted to make news but it dismisses the many dedicated people who have continue to work creating genuine, saleable products - and contributing to the UK's GDP.

Cosworth employs some of the UK's best engineers and we have an apprentice programme in place to make up for the shortfall in education opportunities faced by many talented young engineers.  We engineer high performance technologies in aerospace & defence, automotive and sport and sell our services and manufactured goods to companies all over the world. 

Will the Queen Elizabeth Award carry the same stature as the Nobel Prizes?  Not until engineering is better understood.  Not until there is the education in place to help young people towards a career in engineering.  And certainly not while there are so many talking about UK engineering as if it died out decades ago.

For more information, please contact the Cosworth Communications Office:
Hayley Bolton
Tel: +44 7514 515 786
Email: hayley.bolton@imagination.com   

About Cosworth Group

Cosworth Group was founded in 1958. With headquarters in Northampton, UK, the company employs 350 staff across Europe, the USA and India. CEO of the group is Tim Routsis since 2003.

The Cosworth Group provides high performance technologies to a diverse range of global industries including aerospace & defence, automotive and sport. Cosworth has many world-renowned customers including Aston Martin Lagonda, Rolls-Royce, the UK Ministry of Defence and the United States Navy, and develops high performance electronics and engines for Formula One teams. The Cosworth Group leverages its unique combination of advanced technologies, engineering expertise and globally recognized brand to deliver performance solutions.

Cosworth Group can be found at www.cosworth.com