In 2023 EngineeringUK commissioned a report focusing on the demand for engineers and the skills they would need in the coming decade. The report identified there were approximately 6.1 million engineering jobs (including tech roles) across all industries in 2021, representing around 19% of all jobs in the UK, 43% of those jobs were in ICT or software-related areas. At the same time the report found that between 2022 and 2023, recruitment activity for engineering roles accounted for a quarter (25%) of all job postings in the UK, suggesting that the skills shortage in engineering is greater than in any other area.
With the engineering industry becoming increasingly competitive, it is not surprising that many companies in the sector are fighting to find and hold onto the right people. The issue of talent retention is growing in importance, with many businesses looking at how they can invest in their employees for the long term.
I invited a number of engineers, recruiters and HR experts from across industry and business to share their thoughts on the challenges facing the engineering sector in maintaining its workforce.
Lauren Henwood - Business Manager - Head of Technology & Engineering Europe for Vantage Consulting
Laura Marston - Recruitment Specialist, Author and Trustee of Young Tongues cancer charity
Rob Armstrong - Vice President Mechanical Engineering at Leonardo
Bims Alalade - IMechE HR Director