In a bid to boost the number of UK engineers by highlighting that anyone has the potential to be an engineer, the Royal Academy of Engineering
has teamed up with Dragons’ Den investor and successful entrepreneur, Deborah Meaden, to launch an “Everyday Engineering” competition. The competition invites the public to release their “inner engineer” by submitting ideas and creations that aim to make daily
life more sustainable. It serves as a reminder that everyone has the capability to think like an engineer and that engineering habits – like problem spotting and creative problem solving – can come from anyone.

The competition launches as data, analysed by the Academy, shows a trend for sustainable home inventions is gripping the UK, as Brits take sustainability and tackling
the cost-of-living-crisis into their own hands.

The number of TikTok videos in the UK with the hashtag “#sustainableliving” have increased by 190% in the last year, coinciding with a boom in influencers promoting inventions
which make everyday life more sustainable.1
This includes social media sensation James Stewart, a sustainable living content creator who has seen his follower count grow to over 17,000 in the six months he’s been on the video-sharing platform.2
Sustainable inventions he has promoted include Bee Bricks, which provide bees with safe spaces in urban environments, and have become part of building regulations in Brighton, and a Liquid Tree which fights air pollution using water and micro algae.

With 40% of TikTok’s UK audience coming from the Gen Z age group, young people are leading the charge and trying to make a difference to society.3
But Brits of all ages are embracing this resourceful attitude, with a fifth (20%) of people in the UK saying that individuals have more responsibility for supporting sustainable initiatives than corporations or international organisations.4

Seeing the nation embrace its inventive side, with 44% millennials (increasing to 51% for Gen Z) now describing themselves as creative individuals, will be welcome news
to the UK’s engineering community, amidst concerns around the perception of engineering preventing young people from considering a career in the profession. While engineering will play a pivotal role in achieving the UK’s net-zero goals, the country does not
currently have enough engineers to meet this demand.

That’s why this National Engineering Day (Wednesday 1 November 2023), the Royal Academy of Engineering will announce the winner of its “Everyday Engineering” competition,
with a public vote on social media deciding the best invention. The lucky winner will have the opportunity to meet Deborah Meaden and get her advice on their idea, as well as an award from the Royal Academy of Engineering and a mentoring session from its Enterprise
Hub. The Enterprise Hub supports talented entrepreneurs to transform breakthrough engineering innovations into disruptive, scalable businesses by connecting talent with expert-led training and mentoring from the unique,
prestigious network of Academy Fellows, which includes some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Successful entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den Investor, Deborah Meaden, said:
“Sustainable inventions and the businesses that come out of them will be the key to meeting the UK’s net zero goals and tackling climate change. These inventions would not be possible without the engineers who create them. From a revolutionary new type of
car battery made in a shed to a home-compostable alternative to plastic film created in a kitchen, I passionately believe everyone has the capability to think like an engineer and create something that positively impacts both people and planet.

“It’s fantastic to be part of a competition that embraces these values, and I can’t wait to see the ideas people come up with. Whether you have a plan to improve an existing
product or have a unique idea that could be the answer to solving the most pressing environmental issues facing our society today through engineering, I urge you to enter.”

Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“We’re delighted to have Deborah Meaden involved with National Engineering Day. Her passion and dedication to sustainability are an inspiration to entrepreneurs across the UK, and we hope her commitment to innovation will help stimulate a new generation of
creators.

“I look forward to seeing the nation’s ideas for sustainable inventions and to discovering everyday engineers across the country. Ideas to create a more sustainable everyday
can come from anyone, and this competition is a fantastic way to celebrate the varying skillsets that our industry requires.

“The UK urgently needs more engineers if we are to meet our shared societal challenges, including climate change. We hope that through National Engineering Day we can
raise awareness of the vital role engineers play in addressing this and encourage more people across the nation to consider this rewarding career path.”