The oft-repeated adage that the youth of today will need to be educated in such a way that they can do jobs that do not yet exist has been exposed as hogwash.
Whilst it is true that in 2030, we will need plenty of teachers, nurses and lawyers, it is a truism that the specific nature of the skills needed by today’s youth are not necessarily known. That is especially true within a fast-moving field such as engineering, with roles looking vastly different in 2019 than they did in 1999 or even 2009. Let’s take a look at some engineering careers that might become available to tempt tomorrow’s bright young prospects in the sector.
Disaster Recovery
When the worst happens and a natural disaster strikes an area, the first priority is to preserve life and then rebuild. Engineering is at the heart of these two tasks, with products designed to search for signs of life making massive bounds in recent years. Not only are engineers instrumental in finding individuals who are missing following a disaster, but they are at the heart of designing monitoring equipment which tracks and hopefully mitigates against the worst effects of a disaster.
3D Printing
Originally, 3D printing was used in prototyping, creating scale and even full-sized models of parts and products. Due to the advances in 3D printing technology, parts are now being manufactured during this process, including parts for the Airbus A350 XWB.
Building Information Modelling
Building Information Modelling, or BIM for short, is the process of creating a model of a building to allow a wide range of aspects to be considered at each stage of the project. In addition to looking at the design and planning stage, BIM technology covers the whole process, from concept to move-in. For more information about BIM technology, visit https://www.bimtech-eng.com/.
Autonomous Ships
The self-driving car has gained many column inches over the past decade, but a new frontier for autonomous vehicles is the sea. Self-sailing ships allow vessels to be controlled remotely, freeing up crew for other tasks during a voyage. Information about the ship’s course and immediate obstacles could be visible both on board and on land. With collision detection and other safety features in place, the oceans of tomorrow could be safer than ever before.