Press Release: Inspiring the next generation

The skills shortage across the whole engineering sector continues to be a hot topic. Research conducted by Engineering UK found that an additional 1.8 million engineers and technically qualified people are needed by 2025. We need to put a firm action plan in place if we are to overcome this shortage.

Young people will be the key to the future success of the building controls industry and George Belfield, who works for one of our member companies is a great example of this.

At the recent Building Controls Industry Association Awards, George, a trainee building controls engineer for InTandem Systems, won the award for Young Engineer of the Year.

Inspired by his brother, a building controls electrician, George decided a career in the building controls industry was the way forward for him. He was spurred on by the exciting prospect of working on so many fantastic buildings, as well as the chance to be involved in projects from the design stage, right through to commissioning and handover.

George, like many other individuals, has successfully completed the BCIA training courses and the knowledge gained has given him the chance to work on many famous buildings. This is a fantastic experience for a young person and further highlights the importance of training and how it can lead to numerous opportunities in the industry.

The next step for George, is to progress through the ranks and become a building controls engineer. This is well within his reach and by continuing with his professional studies and undertaking more product specific training further opportunities will open up to him. By embracing training programmes, young people will be well equipped with the skills and knowledge required to drive building controls and themselves forward.

The fast pace of change within this industry mean that it is an exciting place to work. But if we are to tackle the skills shortage we need more young people like George to join us. We need to show the next generation that building controls offer an exciting, lifelong career option and more importantly that it is a career to aspire to.