The proposition for this debate was that it should focus on the falling recruitment in the engineering and the built environment based on the findings of the recently published Ove Arup Foundation scoping study by David Gann and Ammon Salter — Interdisciplinary Skills for Built Environment Professionals — and the work of the CIC Education & Training Forum and HEFCE research.

The debate was chaired by Andy Breckon, Chief Executive of the Design & Technology Association.

Paper 1: Ageing workforce: Where are tomorrow’s engineers?

Richard Haryott, Director, Ove Arup & Partners

Paper 2: Ageing workforce and declining impact: Where are tomorrow’s engineers?

Professor John Bale, Prof of Construction Management at Leeds Metropolitan, and Chairman of the CIC Education & Training Forum

Paper 3: Is there a shortage of engineers?

Andrew Ramsay, Director of Engineers’ Regulation, The Engineering Council

Action points generated on the night.