Step into an engineer’s shoes: IChemE’s new virtual experience brings National Engineering Day to life
4th November 2026
A new online career simulation gives young people the opportunity to explore how chemical engineers support safe, efficient and responsible operations, while tackling a realistic engineering task.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has launched a new virtual work experience module, Process Engineering in Oil and Gas, expanding the range of online experiences available to young people exploring careers in chemical and process engineering.
With National Engineering Day on 4 November 2026 celebrating how engineers improve everyday lives and inspiring the next generation, the new module offers a practical way for young people to discover the profession for themselves. By stepping into an engineer’s role, learners can connect the impact of engineering with the skills and decisions behind it.
Developed with Springpod, the one-hour career simulation introduces learners to the work of chemical engineers in the oil and gas sector. It explores how engineers monitor processes, solve problems, investigate faults and identify opportunities to improve plant performance.
Young people can learn about routes into chemical engineering, including degree programmes and industrial placements, as well as the technical and transferable skills used in the profession. The module also covers day-to-day activities, career progression, and the challenges and rewards associated with the role.
Jack Roberts, a process engineer from Phillips 66, shares his career journey, responsibilities and advice before briefing learners on a workplace-based activity. Participants step into the role of an oil and gas chemical engineer and make judgement calls on situations arising during a shift overseeing a used cooking oil recycling process.
The new module builds on IChemE's established virtual work experience programme, launched with Springpod in September 2024. The wider programme helps school and college students challenge misconceptions about chemical engineering, explore the breadth of sectors in which chemical engineers work, and apply their learning through quizzes, activities and real-world tasks.
Jack Roberts told us why he wanted to volunteer, “I chose to get involved because process engineering is a varied and rewarding career, but it can be difficult for young people to understand what the role involves without direct exposure to industry. It is often associated with chemistry, although the two are distinct disciplines. I particularly enjoyed taking a real engineering activity (one that I’ve carried out myself) and turning it into an accessible and engaging module. Virtual work experience gives more young people the opportunity to explore the profession, gain practical insight and make informed decisions about their future careers.”
In just over two years, the programme has reached more than 12,000 young people and is connecting with audiences that engineering has traditionally struggled to attract. One in three participants comes from a minority ethnic background, compared with 15% of the current engineering workforce, while women represent 40% of participants despite making up only 17% of engineers today. The programme is not only increasing awareness of chemical engineering but helping to build a more diverse future talent pipeline for the profession.
More than 50 IChemE members have supported the programme by sharing case studies and videos, contributing to webinars, and volunteering as Ambassadors. Their involvement gives young people direct insight into the profession and helps IChemE make members' voices heard by turning their knowledge and experience into accessible careers inspiration.
By making high-quality careers experiences available online, IChemE aims to help more young people see chemical and process engineering as a career open to them, regardless of their location, background or access to personal industry networks. Reaching a broader range of learners is an important part of improving the diversity of the profession's future workforce.
Share the opportunity
To mark National Engineering Day, IChemE members can help inspire the next generation by sharing Process Engineering in Oil and Gas with colleagues, schools, teachers, careers advisers, friends and family. A simple recommendation could help a young person discover where chemical engineering could take them.
Access and share the experience: Process Engineering in Oil and Gas: IChemE Career Simulation
What is chemical engineering?
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
IChemE
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 32,000 members in more than 100 countries.
We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.