Benchmarking Engineering Capacity and Capability across the Commonwealth
Funder: Lloyds Register Foundation – Engineering a Safer World Grant
Project Lead: Prof Dawn Bonfield MBE FREng
Lead Organisations: Commonwealth Engineers' Council & Aston University, UK
Summary
The project tackles the shortage of engineers in rapidly developing Commonwealth countries, where limited local capacity threatens safe, sustainable urban growth. Using the Commonwealth Engineers’ Council’s network, data will be gathered to map engineering capability, identify gaps, and propose solutions to strengthen education, standards, and professional frameworks.
Context
By 2050, nearly half of the 2.5 billion increase in global urban population will be in Commonwealth countries, doubling their urban population. Cities already account for 70% of carbon emissions, making sustainable growth critical. Many Commonwealth nations lack sufficient engineers, accreditation systems, and enforced building codes, hindering safe development, disaster recovery, and renewable energy transition. Reliance on international contractors often stifles local job creation, uses unsuitable materials, and further depletes domestic engineering capacity. This undermines resilience, safety, and prosperity.
The Project
The initiative will collect data across Commonwealth countries to map engineering capacity against urbanisation, energy transition, and economic growth needs. A gap analysis will highlight nations most at risk. Evidence will cover educational provision, professional capacity, qualification frameworks, and adherence to international standards. Partner organisations will support data collection, especially in small states and islands.
The project will produce a searchable interactive map of engineering capacity. Where gaps are found, recommendations and projects will be developed to address shortfalls. Potential solutions include curriculum reforms (e.g., teaching low‑carbon concrete), strengthening accreditation, and building professional networks. This evidence will complete the picture across built environment professions and guide practical interventions for safer, more sustainable infrastructure.
Project Lead: Prof Dawn Bonfield MBE FREng
Lead Organisations: Commonwealth Engineers' Council & Aston University, UK
Summary
The project tackles the shortage of engineers in rapidly developing Commonwealth countries, where limited local capacity threatens safe, sustainable urban growth. Using the Commonwealth Engineers’ Council’s network, data will be gathered to map engineering capability, identify gaps, and propose solutions to strengthen education, standards, and professional frameworks.
Context
By 2050, nearly half of the 2.5 billion increase in global urban population will be in Commonwealth countries, doubling their urban population. Cities already account for 70% of carbon emissions, making sustainable growth critical. Many Commonwealth nations lack sufficient engineers, accreditation systems, and enforced building codes, hindering safe development, disaster recovery, and renewable energy transition. Reliance on international contractors often stifles local job creation, uses unsuitable materials, and further depletes domestic engineering capacity. This undermines resilience, safety, and prosperity.
The Project
The initiative will collect data across Commonwealth countries to map engineering capacity against urbanisation, energy transition, and economic growth needs. A gap analysis will highlight nations most at risk. Evidence will cover educational provision, professional capacity, qualification frameworks, and adherence to international standards. Partner organisations will support data collection, especially in small states and islands.
The project will produce a searchable interactive map of engineering capacity. Where gaps are found, recommendations and projects will be developed to address shortfalls. Potential solutions include curriculum reforms (e.g., teaching low‑carbon concrete), strengthening accreditation, and building professional networks. This evidence will complete the picture across built environment professions and guide practical interventions for safer, more sustainable infrastructure.
Contact Details
If you would like to be involved in this project, please contact Dawn Bonfield on [email protected].
If you would like to be involved in this project, please contact Dawn Bonfield on [email protected].