Whether these objectives can be achieved will not least depend on the ability of the European countries to ensure that there is a sufficient number of well-qualified engineers to tackle important challenges.

At their joint event "More Engineers for Europe" on April 28 in Brussels, the VDI and the European Federation of National Engineering Associations (Feani), discussed with representatives from the European institutions, industry and science about EU initiatives to reduce the shortage of engineers in Europe.

The new Europe 2020 strategy, as proposed by the Commission, focuses on three priorities: One is to create smart growth, generated by an economy that is based on knowledge and innovation. Another key priority is to make economic growth sustainable by fostering a resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy. The third key priority is inclusive growth created by a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion.

Engineers’ contribution to technological innovation applied in the market place is indispensible for achieving higher economic growth as well as for creating new jobs, securing clean energy supply, sustaining natural resources and tackling the challenges associated with climate change. Thus, they will play an important role in putting into practice all three priorities set out in the Europe 2020 Strategy.

Ensuring the availability of a sufficient number of well-qualified engineers across all countries must be a policy priority for the years to come. One of the challenges associated with the design and implementation of adequate EU-wide policies, is to correctly assess the starting point, i.e. the present labour market situation for engineers and their level of qualification.

The European Engineering Report commissioned by VDI (The Association of German Engineers) and developed by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research IW Köln, aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the most important indicators with respect to the European labour market for engineers and their education. The data allow a comparison across 31 European countries and relevant conditions that engineers face there.

The objective of the study is to contribute to a better informed policy discussion aimed at promoting qualified engineers who are crucial for technological, social and economic development as well as the success of the Europe 2020 strategy.