An industry boss has warned about a lack of aerospace and defence engineers in the UK.
The call suggests now would be a good time for students looking for a graduate engineering job to get a foot on the ladder.
Louis Gallois, chief executive of aviation, space and defence company EADS, voiced his concerns during an aviation lunch in London, saying the shortage is being experienced across Europe.
He said more students with degrees in science are going into banking rather than the aviation industry, causing firms such as EADS to look to India, China, the US and Singapore for its employees.
He said engineers are key to securing a robust industry in Europe.
Mr Gallois said: "It's difficult to find engineers in the UK and it's difficult to find them all over Europe. Fewer European students are interested in scientific studies and an a lot of those that are taking these subjects go into banking and not into industry."
Speaking of economic conditions in Europe and the UK, Mr Gallois said: "My main concern is that we need to maintain some growth in European economies. If austerity plans in the form of cutbacks lead to increased taxes then that will not assist growth."
EADS is the parent company of European planemaking giant Airbus and employs around 16,000 people in the UK.
