The Engineering Council is pleased to announce that Dr Caroline Sudworth has taken up the newly created role of Education and Skills Senior Executive, with effect from 15 October. Caroline will play a valuable role in the Policy and Standards team, taking responsibility for the HE, FE and Skills areas of the Engineering Council’s work, including academic accreditation.

She will be working closely with professional engineering institutions and other relevant stakeholders, focussing on understanding and developing the number of pathways and flexible learning packages leading to professional registration as Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Having forged strong links with Government, industry, academia, professional bodies, sector skills councils, and other stakeholders through previous roles, Caroline has already developed a critical understanding of the needs of the sector as a whole, as well as the issues faced by engineering organisations and the individuals within them.  

Caroline joins the Engineering Council from Cogent Sector Skills Council where she was Higher Education Manager, responsible for a range of programmes primarily related to employer engagement in STEM education. These included routes into, and progression through university; working with employers to develop flexible learning packages and courses; devising programmes of activity to enhance employability and professional development; and working with professional bodies to ensure compliance with professional standards.

Prior to this Caroline worked as Research Director in the Medical Laser Institute, Lasers for Life and Business Development Manager for the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Manchester Metropolitan University.  She holds a PhD in Medical Physics, was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Medical Imaging Research at the University of Leeds and has lectured in both the Universities of Leeds and Liverpool.

Of her new role, Caroline says; “I am looking forward to working as part of the Engineering Council team, to meet the challenges faced by a changing skills and education landscape and working to support Government priorities on progression in STEM careers as well as its recognition of the need for skilled and competent engineers in the future to support business growth and innovation.”