Engineering sector, a photo exhibition to highlight the work of engineers and promote their profession

The engineering sector intervenes daily for the improvement and progress within the company. In 2020, the professional federation of engineering, Syntec-ingénierie published its annual report. The sector generated €42.3 billion in revenue. It is a sector that participates in innovation with 6.2% of turnover devoted to research and development. In addition, it contributes 2.2% of GDP on average in France. The engineering sector is a vast sector, it also makes it possible to develop vaccines, to support the relocation of industrial production or to reduce the energy consumption of buildings. In short, engineering intervenes in various fields.

In addition, it should be noted that France is considered the country of Gustave Eiffel and bears the Eiffel Tower as its symbol. The monument of the engineer is undoubtedly the most famous monument in the territory. Yet, it seems that the engineering profession remains unknown.

If the engineering sector has faced difficulties during the health crisis, it is also affected by fundamental issues. Indeed, the sector is struggling to be fully recognized among young people. This fact is all the more evident among young women. In this sense, the sector is involved in making things happen and seeks to reveal itself to as many people as possible.

For this, Meet’ingé and Syntec-ingénierie are organizing a photo exhibition. The aim is to highlight today’s engineers and their work. An event that will fascinate or perhaps make young people want to embark on an exciting innovation sector.

inventions engineers sectors
The engineering profession is found in different fields

A sector that is still too little known and fights against problems

In 2021 and according to syntec’s annual report, no less than 73,000 companies employ 312,000 employees in the territory. In 2019, the engineering sector was the largest employer of graduate engineers with no less than 80,000 recruitments. However, theyear 2020 has not spared the sector. Indeed, during the health crisis, successive lockdowns have given engineering companies a hard time. This has involved the shutdown of many construction sites, the closure of industrial sites, and more generally a significant slowdown in activity and engineering orders.

This slowdown is estimated at about 35%. As a result, the engineering sector’s revenue fell by 11% in 2020 to €42.3 billion. Among the sectors most affected by engineering, there is in particular the aeronautics and automotive sector. So, for engineering, the year was a test. It took resilience and patience. Indeed, 80% of companies have suffered from lower orders.

Thus, they have resorted to support measures in order to preserve employment. 45% of companies use short-time work, 23% use aid and the recruitment of work-study students. In order to resume a sustainable activity, Syntec-ingénierie has set up a contribution to the recovery plan for the sector after covid. He took it to the government to allow a way out for the recovery. Among the proposals selected was the relaxation of the rule of capping contract developments.

Beyond that, the engineering sector has continued to implement solutions to overcome the problems that concern it. Indeed, he struggles to make himself known to young people, students and especially young women. The latter represent only a third of the workforce in training. Thus, in order to raise young people’s awareness of engineering, Syntec-ingénierie carries out actions. And what better than young people to talk to young people.

In this sense, he has set up a Council of Young Pros to change things. 12 junior engineers are therefore addressing young people around current themes in fundamental for the whole of society. These are two themes: the climate with a charter that brings together 55 companies and the feminization of the sector with a campaign on social networks. At the same time, syntec-engineering is forging links with engineering schools. The National School of Advanced Training for Industrial Performance and Aeronautical Maintenance in Mérignac is part of the network.

Beyond these actions, Syntec-ingénierie focuses on more playful and interactive actions to highlight aspects of engineering and the engineering profession.

industrial engineering material
The work of the engineers is highlighted in a photo exhibition organized by Meet’ingé and Syntec-ingénierie

A wind of lightness to unveil the engineering sector to as many people as possible.

In order to continue its conquest of recognition, Syntec-ingénierie also unveils its sector with a touch of humor. To reveal the interest of engineering, he has developed a game video that depicts a world where engineering does not exist. Thus, it is an opportunity to simply understand what the sector is for.

He also set up a MOOC on the FUN MOOC platform. It concerns the professions of industrial engineering. Finally, for the 20th anniversary of Meet’ingé, Syntec-ingénierie is organizing a photo exhibition that aims to promote engineers and their work. Thus, the event will host about thirty pictures signed Factstory, a subsidiary of AFP. The images show the inventions that contribute to our daily lives, whether they are transport infrastructure, health, buildings, internet networks… It will take place on October 14, 2021 at the Carreau du Temple at 4 rue Eugène Spuller, in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. To get there, you must register online on the Meet’ingé website.

Thus, the world of engineering intends to reveal itself to all. It struggles to overcome gender inequalities within it. The steps seem to be paying off since 4 women have been elected to head the Board of Directors of Syntec-ingénierie. In addition, the latter voted for a reform to ensure feminization within all bodies.

Sources:

“Expo photos / Factstory, AFP / Engineering professionals and their works” Syntec-ingénierie, press release of 22 September

“Activity Report2020, engineering companies, responsibility and resilience in the face of the crisis”Syntec-ingénierie, Annual Report 2020

Activity report 2019, a profession that creates wealth throughout the territories” Syntec-ingénierie, Annual report 2019

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