An annual 40,000 shortfall in the number of engineers being produced in Britain is going to be solved by Facebook and Twitter, the Royal Academy of Engineering is hoping.
A survey of 13 to 18-year-olds found that they were more likely to mine for careers information online (52 per cent ) than be guided by their parents (41 per cent) or teachers (37 per cent).
In response, the academy is launching a Facebook page for secondary school pupils to explore engineering careers; it has launched a Twitter account #thisisengineering; and is sizing up an advertising campaign, through Snapchat, Instagram and Youtube.