Birmingham-based Petalite - the next generation electric vehicle (EV) charging engineering company - has marked World Engineering Day today (March 4) with a call to action.
The firm is urging industry, national and local Government to prioritise investment and opportunities for engineers and engineering companies in the UK, and specifically in the West Midlands.
The theme of the 2025 World Engineering Day is ‘unleashing the power of engineers to advance the Sustainable Development Goals’.
Working in the electric charging industry, Petalite recognises the vital role of engineering in developing green technology to help tackle the climate crisis. The business is urging the Government to support the UK’s engineering community so that the UK can become a leader in sustainable engineering and help deliver on the Government’s commitment to prioritise a net zero future and support UK growth ambitions.
The West Midlands is home to the ‘engineering zone’ – encompassing Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Warwick and Coventry – which has a long and proud history of engineering and manufacturing, particularly in sectors like automotive and aerospace. But there are concerns that underinvestment is jeopardising the future success of growing engineering businesses.
Steve Gardener, CEO at Petalite, says industry and Government both have a role to play: “Recruiting engineers in the UK is a challenge, and it doesn’t need to be. Birmingham and the West Midlands have a rich engineering heritage, but we need to do more to ensure engineering courses prepare students for industry.
“Engineers by their nature love to innovate, so engineering that drives forward the electrification and decarbonisation of transport is an exciting place to work right now, but the UK can and should do more to develop the skills and interest in this area so that people consider it to be a viable and fulfilling career in the UK.
"We also need investment in infrastructure, housing and transport links so that engineers can confidently build their careers in this engineering heartland and so that businesses can attract, develop and retain the best talent.
“There is a fantastic opportunity for UK-based companies to rise to the challenge and take advantage of the opportunities that the Green Agenda provides. But we need a firm commitment from the Government that it will continue to value the important contribution that engineers are making.”
Petalite is using World Engineering Day as an opportunity for the business to come together and celebrate its achievements says Hannah Dix, chief people officer at Petalite.
“World Engineering Day gives us a chance to take a step back and appreciate the journey we’re on taking engineering innovation to commercial reality,” said Hannah. “Engineers truly have the opportunity to transform industries and society more generally.
"We’re extremely grateful for the brilliant and unique engineering team we have here at Petalite – a truly diverse team where a number of engineering disciplines from power electronics to software to mechanical engineering and hardware, all work together with a shared goal to revolutionise electric charging technology.”
As part of the Petalite celebrations for World Engineering Day the near 60-strong business is coming together today for a team lunch.
Petalite prioritises commitment to the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) as part of its everyday processes, with the business already working towards the goals of affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11).
