England's Modern Engineering Wonders Revealed

LONDON, November 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Young engineers from across the country have revealed the nation's eight contemporary engineering wonders.

The list, launched to mark Tomorrow's Engineers Week (#TEWeek13), showcases how engineers use their skills to make a world of difference: from the technology behind 3D films to providing safer drinking water.

Announcing the new engineering wonders, Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said:

"The eight engineering wonders go to show not only how exciting and innovative the nation is, but also the everyday impact engineers have on the world.

"It is becoming the new norm for young people to choose either university or an Apprenticeship and we are taking major action both in government and across industry. One of our main aims is to attract more young people, especially girls, into engineering professions and to show parents and teachers that engineering is an aspirational career choice."  

• Technology: Player Analysis Technology
  The engineering wonder of the sports world, Player Analysis Technology is revolutionising improvements in sports stars' training and performance. The data driven technology, led by British firms like OPTA, is also changing the way the country watches and enjoys its favourite sports.
  
• Healthcare: The Lifesaver water bottle
  Manufactured in Colchester and invented by British engineer Michael Pritchard in response to natural disasters, the Lifesaver water bottle looks like an ordinary sports bottle. But inside the bottle contains an advanced filtration system that makes bacteria and virus-ridden water safe to drink in seconds.
  
• Energy: Wind Power
  Young engineers clearly see a huge future in the potential of wind power and wind turbines to contribute to the country's green footprint - and the economy.
  
• Entertainment: 3D films
  First pioneered by British inventor William Friese-Greene in the 1890s, the mainstream resurgence and rebirth of 3D films, led by visual effects firms like London's The Foundry, has revolutionised the cinema industry in recent years.
  
• Design: The Eden Project
  The Eden Project in Cornwall is a leading tourist attraction and combines award winning design with a study centre and technology to reduce the impact of the centre on the environment.
  
• Construction: London
  From the Shard to the Olympic Park and plans for the giant Gateway Port, engineers continuously rank London as the home of modern construction excellence - as well as contributing billions of pounds to the UK economy as a whole.
  
• Automotive: Electric Cars
  From developments in fuel cell technology and the installation of electric car charging points in cities and towns across the country, electric and hybrid cars are fast becoming the future of the automotive industry, such as the Tesla which is part made by Lotus in Norfolk.
  
• Aerospace: The Airbus A380
  The giant double-deck A380 is the world's largest commercial aircraft, with capacity to carry up to 825 people on journeys of up to 15,700 km. The award-winning plane supports 100,000 British engineering jobs in Filton, Broughton and Mostyn.

According to EngineeringUK, 85% of engineering graduates go on to employment or further study within 6 months of graduating and graduate engineers had the joint third highest median salary in 2010. Through Tomorrow's Engineers Week, government and industry aim to address the fact that far too few school children, particularly girls, are choosing the GCSEs, A Levels, Apprenticeships, degrees or other vocational pathways that will lead to engineering careers.

To view a gallery of the engineering wonders, visit http://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk.