Petalite Marks World Engineering Day with Call for More Government Support to Develop Home-Grown Expertise

On World Engineering Day, Birmingham-based Petalite, a cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) charging engineering company, is calling on industry, national, and regional Government to place investment and prospects for engineers and engineering companies in the UK, and particularly the West Midlands, at the forefront of their priorities.

The theme for World Engineering Day in 2025 (4 March 2025) is ‘Unleashing the Power of Engineers to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals'. As a key stakeholder in the electric charging industry, Petalite sees engineering's vital role in the innovation of green technology as a response to the climate crisis. 

The company is urging the Government to support the UK's engineering sector to make the country a global leader in sustainable engineering, to enable the nation to achieve its net zero ambitions and broader growth plans.

The UK's ‘engine zone' – Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Warwick, and Coventry – is where the West Midlands region is based, with a long history of manufacturing and engineering, particularly automotive and aerospace. But concerns are rising that insufficient investment will prevent growing engineering businesses from carrying on and succeeding.

Overcoming the Skills and Investment Challenge
Petalite CEO, Steve Gardener, points out that there is a key role for industry and the Government 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,” he says.

“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,” adds Steve. “But we need a firm commitment from the Government that it will continue to value the important contribution that engineers are making.”

Celebrating Engineering Talent at Petalite

Petalite is using World Engineering Day as an opportunity to reflect on 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,” explains 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.”

To mark the occasion, Petalite’s nearly 60-strong team will come together for a special team lunch.

Commitment to Sustainability

Petalite integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its daily operations, actively working towards:

• Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
• Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
• Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

Join the Future of Engineering

To learn more about engineering careers at Petalite, click here.