How can you attract more young people into engineering?

Engineering is all about innovation, and it’s more important than ever to bring young talent into the industry. Roles like embedded software engineers, mechanical design engineers and other white-collar positions are in high demand, but how can you make engineering appealing to the next generation? Let’s dive into some ways to attract more young people into your engineering teams.
 

1. Show them the impact they can have

• Today’s young professionals want to know that their work makes a difference. Whether it’s developing life-saving medical devices, creating eco-friendly manufacturing processes or designing the next big tech innovation, young engineers want to feel like their work matters. Make sure they understand the positive impact they can have on the world—this is a huge selling point for roles in fields like embedded software engineering, mechanical design and R&D.

2. Offer clear career paths

• One thing that often holds young engineers back is not knowing where their career could go. Show them the possibilities for growth in your organisation. Whether it’s moving from a hands-on engineering role to leading projects or transitioning into product development, make sure your recruitment process highlights how they can progress within the company.

3. Create a flexible, modern work environment

• Flexibility is key for younger engineers. They’re looking for roles that offer the chance to balance work with life and they want a workplace that feels open and innovative. Emphasise the perks of flexible hours, remote working and a collaborative atmosphere where engineers can be creative and thrive.

4. Give them real-world experience

• Experience matters. Many young engineers are eager to apply what they’ve learned, so offering internships, apprenticeships or co-op programs can be a great way to attract them. Hands-on experience with your products and systems will help them understand the impact they can make, whether they’re designing mechanical systems or working on embedded systems.

5. Let them work with the latest tech

• Young engineers are excited about new technologies. If you want to attract them, showcase your involvement in cutting-edge projects like AI, autonomous systems or advanced manufacturing techniques. Whether it’s software development, R&D or semiconductor design, make it clear that your company is at the forefront of innovation.

6. Build relationships with schools and universities

• To engage with young talent early on, partner with universities, technical schools or coding bootcamps. You can run workshops, give guest lectures or even offer scholarships to get students excited about engineering careers at your company. It’s all about building a pipeline of future talent from day one.

7. Highlight diversity and inclusion

• Diversity is important to today’s young engineers. They want to work for companies that value inclusion and create a supportive environment for all employees. Make sure your recruitment process and company culture reflect these values. Emphasising diversity in your engineering teams can help you attract a wider range of talent.

8. Use social media to connect

• Young people live on social media, so it’s a great place to showcase your company culture and the exciting projects your engineers are working on. Share behind-the-scenes videos, day-in-the-life posts and success stories to show what it’s really like to work at your company. Be sure to engage on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram and even TikTok to meet candidates where they’re at.

 
Looking to bring fresh engineering talent into your team? At IntaPeople, we specialise in helping companies find top engineering talent across fields like embedded software, mechanical design, and R&D.
 
Learn more about how we can help you recruit the next generation of engineers.