Design and engineering education depends on more than schools and universities. Develop 3D editor Stephen Holmes argues that support from industry is increasingly important as educators face limited resources and artificial intelligence begins changing the employment prospects of young designers and engineers.
Educators play a critical role in developing the skills required by product design and engineering companies. Holmes points to the New Designers graduate showcase as an example, where lecturers supported students entering the profession. Extracurricular initiatives can also provide experiences that conventional curricula may overlook. Scalextric4Schools, for instance, challenges students to design, engineer, build, and race slot cars, giving them practical exposure to tools such as Onshape.
AI makes industry involvement more urgent. Holmes notes that automation is already affecting graduate recruitment in architecture and argues that product development could experience similar changes. If companies reduce entry-level opportunities while adopting AI, young people may struggle to gain the practical experience needed to build careers.
The article encourages engineering and design companies to become more involved with education. Holmes recalls an engineering company with a community and education engagement team that organized school presentations, STEM events, and local initiatives. Such programs can also benefit employers by introducing young people to engineering careers and helping companies develop a local talent pipeline.
Industry placements are particularly valuable, yet Holmes observed that many students at New Designers had been unable to secure one. Companies unable to provide formal placements still have options. They can create industry projects for university classes, sponsor school teams, support STEM teachers, or provide employees who can share practical expertise.
The article’s central argument is that even modest industry involvement can have lasting value. As AI reshapes early-career work, closer cooperation between education and industry can give students practical opportunities while helping engineering companies cultivate the skilled workforce they will need in the future.
