Oil giant Shell has invested more than £1m in the Tomorrow's Engineers programme, it announced on Monday.The three-year funding has been made to help address the UK's critical shortage of scientists and engineers and will enable the programme to expand into over 500 new schools across the UK.Shell chairman Erik Bonino said: "When it comes to inspiring the next generation of great British scientists, engineers and innovators, we need to start in schools. Tomorrow's Engineers connects classroom learning to the exciting opportunities that a technical career can offer."Only by engaging young people and their teachers in this way, will we encourage more students to progress in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects and careers."Business secretary Vince Cable, himself a former employee of Shell, welcomed the funding, saying STEM skills are the "lifeblood" of the UK's high-tech industries.