Over 200,000 Engineering Graduates Unable to Practice, Says INGITE

The INGITE (Institute of Graduates in Engineering and Technical Engineers of Spain) has released the second report "Analysis of Engineering Studies in Spain" which examines the state of university engineering studies in Spain.

This second report was prepared by analysing data provided by the Ministry of Universities, aiming to offer a realistic view of the situation of engineering degrees in Spain, to serve as a reflection and be used "in adopting the necessary measures to promote vocations and correct the dire situation occurring with over 200,000 graduates and students of non-qualifying engineering degrees, who cannot practice as such, and which continues to grow," the institute indicates.

Regarding the number of Bachelor's degrees in Engineering, we find another figure for reflection, as in the last 9 years there have been 1,107 Bachelor's degrees in Engineering, representing 24% of total Bachelor's degrees, which contrasts with a nearly similar number of Master's degrees in Engineering 1,211 (20.84% of total master's degrees), and especially with the percentage of engineering students being only 13.72% of the total students. This clearly indicates an excess of supply compared to other degrees and especially a student-to-degree ratio of practically 50% of the average.

Analysing the Bachelor's degrees more deeply, we can see how non-qualifying Bachelor's degrees in Engineering are proliferating, meaning they do not lead to a regulated profession, and contrary to what the "Bologna Reform" and its transposition into Spanish legislation (R.D. 822/2021, which modifies R.D. 1393/2007) indicate, they are specialist degrees and in some cases without professional effects, as they have been created solely to provide access to certain qualifying Master's degrees.

In the last 9 years, non-qualifying Bachelor's degrees in Engineering have increased by 55.8% (483), compared to qualifying Bachelor's degrees which have increased by 10.4%, currently being 520.

To find positive data, we must look at the analysis of the number of women enrolled in Engineering Bachelor's degrees and thus see that in the last 9 years it has increased by 27.42% and in relation to Master's degrees in Engineering, the number of enrollees has increased by 85.79% in the last 9 years, which is very significant of the need for specialist and updated training.

Among some other conclusions, INGITE highlights the need to request an Engineering Law, which, in addition to valuing it, serves to modernise and adapt the degrees and professions to European and global standards, promote competitiveness, eliminate conflict, and foster a union that strengthens the position of this essential professional sector.

"Can anyone imagine that there would be Bachelor's degrees in pharmacy, veterinary, medicine, economics, nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, optics, law, etc., that would not allow you to practice those professions?" laments the Dean of Cogiti Alicante, Antonio Martínez-Canales Murcia, who finds it "completely incomprehensible that while the best engineering universities worldwide offer qualifying Bachelor's degrees in Engineering of 4 years, in Spain we insist on maintaining the engineering structures of two centuries ago, fostering classism and nostalgia against the evolution and competitiveness we need as a society." He calls for work on drafting an Engineering Law that "puts order to this entire situation." For this, it will be "essential" to consider minimum contents for a degree to be called "Engineering," as well as harmonising the profession through individual aspects based not only on the degree but also on professional experience and continuous training, through a cohesive collegial structure.