The Engineering Council were pleased to see that the engineering profession is one of the most trusted in Great Britain according to the latest Ipsos Veracity Index that revealed 85% of people across the country trust engineers to tell the truth.

This year’s poll found engineers level with doctors, in fourth place, only eclipsed by librarians (86%), airplane pilots (87%), and nurses (88%). Similar levels of trust in engineers have been recorded in previous years, including a score of 89% in 2020.

As the engineering regulatory body this is welcome news. The Engineering Council’s purpose is to ensure that employers, government and wider society - both in the UK and overseas - can have confidence and trust in the knowledge, experience and commitment of engineers and technicians, which we do through setting and maintaining internationally recognised standards of professional competence, commitment and ethics.

Professionally registered engineers and technicians are required to maintain and promote high ethical standards in their work and to challenge unethical behaviour. The four fundamental principles for ethical behaviour and decision-making are outlined in a Statement of Ethical Principles, jointly produced by the Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng).

Paul Bailey, Engineering Council CEO said: “It’s great to see engineers maintaining their high ranking on the 2023 Ipsos Veracity Index as one of the most trusted professions among the British public. Such a high level of trust in engineers is primarily down to their high level of professionalism which is exemplified by professional registration with the Engineering Council, a means of providing that assurance of competence and a continuing commitment to professionally develop.”

The 2023 Ipsos Veracity Index showed that engineers were more trusted by females (86% compared to 85% of males) and by those earning a higher salary (90% of those earning above £50,000 compared to 80% of those earning under £25,000). The index also suggested a higher level of distrust among younger people, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have suggested that this is possibly related to limited understanding and knowledge of engineering as a profession.

Although it is regarded as an important and rewarding career, recent research commissioned by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) revealed that many people don’t know much about what people in engineering do, or what the job involves. RAEng’s survey into the public’s perception of engineering and the reasons why many young people choose not to take up engineering courses or careers found that outdated perceptions of engineering as a profession is a key obstacle to young people enrolling in engineering courses.

To help raise public awareness of how engineers make a difference in the world, celebrate how engineers shape the future and encourage more young people, from all backgrounds, to consider engineering careers, RAEng, in partnership with EngineeringUK, has, over the past few years, led an annual National Engineering Day campaign..

The IET has also driven awareness campaigns, such as Engineer a Better World, and the recent Young Woman Engineer of the Year, which aim to change people’s perceptions of engineering,

To read more on this year’s Ipsos Veracity Index, the IPSOS website.

For press enquiries:   
Helen Potts, Engineering Council – hpotts@engc.org.uk, 020 3206 0568

The Engineering Council holds the national Register of Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Information and Communication Technology Technicians (ICTTech). It also sets and maintains the internationally recognised standards of competence and ethics that govern the award and retention of these titles. By this means it is able to ensure that employers, government and wider society, both at home and overseas, can have confidence in the skills and commitment of registrants. For more information visit: www.engc.org.uk