Engineers climb the ratings to become Britain’s second most trusted profession

Eighty-seven per cent of people trust engineers to tell the truth, says the latest Veracity Index from Ipsos, published today.

Out of a list of 30 different professions, engineers are the second most trusted in Great Britain, up from sixth place (with a score of 84%) in 2021.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) worked with the 2022 Ipsos Veracity Index, which has been tracking the latest movements in Britons’ trust in key professions since the 1980s, to include engineering for the fifth year running.

The profession, which makes up 19% of the UK workforce* is trusted to tell the truth by almost nine in 10 people (87% of the population), closely following nurses (89%) and moving ahead of doctors, teachers and museum curators this year to achieve its highest ever ranking since engineering was first included in the survey in 2018. Engineers have recorded similar levels of trust in previous years, including a score of 89% in 2020.

Trust in engineers is equal across genders, with just a one percentage point difference between men and women. Despite this, only 16.5% of engineers and technicians identify as women, something which the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) hopes to address through various campaigns, including its upcoming Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards. 

Professor Bob Cryan CBE, IET President, said: “Engineers play a central role in everyday life, contributing to advancing the world around us and finding solutions to global challenges such as climate change. It’s fantastic to see that nearly 9 in 10 people trust engineers – this demonstrates the huge level of professionalism and importance of engineers in the UK.

“The last couple of years have highlighted more than ever the vital role engineers play in developing technology and rapid processes, to keep our infrastructure and economy running.

“This recognition of trust by the public is a welcome boost to all those in industry, academia and our communities working together to address the shortfalls in engineer numbers faced across the UK by encouraging the next generation of talent, as engineering continues to be a vital profession across the world.”

At the bottom of the trust league are: politicians generally (12%), advertising executives (14%), government ministers (16%), estate agents (28%) and journalists (29%).

Ends

Notes to editors:

*Trends in the engineering workforce between 2010 and 2021, Engineering UK, 2022.

The Ipsos Veracity Index is an annual poll that has measured the trustworthiness of professions in Britain since 1983.

This year’s survey was carried out over two waves of a telephone omnibus survey.

• Group one included 1,005 British adults, aged 16+ who were surveyed between 19 and 26 October 2022
• Group two included 1,004 British adults, aged 16+ who were surveyed between 26 October and 1 November 2022

Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error. Further detail can be found on the Ipsos website.

About the IET

• We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world.
• We are a diverse home for engineering and technology intelligence throughout the world. This breadth and depth means we are uniquely placed to help the sector progress society.
• We want to build the profile of engineering and technology to change outdated perceptions and tackle the skills gap. This includes encouraging more women to become engineers and growing the number of engineering apprentices.
• Interview opportunities are available with our spokespeople from a range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and diversity in engineering.
• For more information, visit www.theiet.org
• Follow the IET on Twitter.

Media enquiries to

Rebecca Gillick
External Communications Manager
rgillick@theiet.org

Emma Taplin
Senior Communications Executive
emmataplin@theiet.org