Letter: I want to be an engineer

We still do not know why there are not enough engineers. Possible explanations include: the level of mathematics required is too difficult for some to consider engineering; university courses in science and engineering require more work than others; and the work requires more persistence and rigour.

The image of engineering is unattractive; the status of engineers in industry is not high enough; and the pay is lower for engineers than other professions at similar levels of experience.

It is not possible to do anything about the first three: engineering needs hard work. We need to continue to work on image, and to offer higher salaries for important jobs.

Nick Boucher

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks Warwickshire