In the ever-evolving landscape of the United Kingdom’s economy, one thing remains clear: engineers are in high demand. As the country pushes towards becoming a net zero economy, the role of engineers becomes increasingly critical. A recent report commissioned by EngineeringUK, produced by Lightcast, sheds light on the current state of engineering skills needs and how the sector is evolving to meet the challenges of the future.

Engineering: A Growing Force in the UK Job Market

In 2021, engineering already accounted for a significant portion of the job market, with approximately 6.1 million engineering jobs, including tech roles, across all industries. This amounted to a staggering 19% of all jobs in the UK. This alone highlights the integral role that engineers play in the country’s economic engine.

Interestingly, the report reveals that engineering job vacancies have been on the rise, with the demand growing faster than for other occupations. Over the past five years, vacancies for ‘green engineering’ roles have surged by an impressive 55%. This surge reflects the increasing focus on sustainability and environmental considerations across industries.

The Green Revolution and Engineering Skills

A remarkable finding from the report is the substantial increase in ‘green engineering’ job postings. These roles are aimed at addressing the urgent challenge of climate change and promoting sustainable practices across various sectors. Over the course of a year, job postings for ‘green engineering’ roles shot up by 48%, reaching an astounding 212,000 postings between 2021 and 2022.

The significance of ‘green’ roles becomes evident when we consider the wide spectrum of sectors they span – from civil and electrical engineering to ICT and software development. This wide-reaching impact underscores the importance of incorporating sustainable practices across various industries.

The Call for a Skilled Workforce

Dr. Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, emphasises the need for a well-equipped workforce to meet the escalating demand for engineers. As the call for engineers resonates across all sectors, a robust plan and funding are essential for training the future workforce. This entails not only drawing young talent from diverse backgrounds into engineering but also upskilling the current workforce to align with evolving demands.

Furthermore, the report suggests that engineers and technicians play a central role in steering the UK towards a green economy and effectively addressing climate change. As such, the urgency to ensure a skilled workforce capable of driving this transition is more pressing than ever.

Engineering: A Rewarding Career Path

One of the compelling factors driving individuals towards engineering roles is the attractive salary prospects. According to the report, the average advertised salary in engineering stands at £38,600, which is nearly 30% higher than the average salary across all occupations (£30,000). This significant pay gap reflects the value that engineering skills bring to the table.

Diverse Sectors, Specialized Skills

The Lightcast report delves into a skills snapshot of 13 engineering thematic groups. These snapshots highlight the most sought-after specialist and software skills in each sector, as well as the top occupations within these groups that have been in high demand over the past year. These sectors encompass a wide array of engineering domains, from civil and electrical engineering to skilled construction and environmental engineering.

Engineering: A Nationwide Phenomenon

The report projects growth in engineering jobs across all regions of the UK by 2030. Currently, engineering roles account for a quarter (25%) of all job postings in the country, indicative of the sector’s significance. While London and the South East have traditionally held the highest number of engineering and technology jobs, the proportional distribution has been shifting since 2016/17.

Charting the Path Forward

Released in May 2023, the report ‘Engineering skills needs – now and into the future’ provides vital insights into the engineering and technology sector. It underscores the increasing demand for engineers, the rise of green engineering roles, and the evolving landscape of skills requirements.

As we strive for a greener and more sustainable future, engineers will continue to be at the forefront of innovation and progress. The report reinforces the importance of nurturing a skilled engineering workforce and fostering an environment conducive to growth, adaptation, and sustainability.

To explore the report’s findings in more depth and understand the actions required to meet the future’s engineering and technology skills needs, you can access the full report and discussion paper at www.engineeringuk.com/futureskills.

The engineering field stands as a pivotal force that will shape the UK’s journey towards a net zero economy. With the demand for engineers on the rise, the time is ripe for aspiring engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders to collaborate and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
At Hello Recruitment, we are experiencing the demand for exceptional engineering talent first hand. We are an expert engineering recruitment team, continuing to match high-calibre professionals with dynamic businesses as the boom in the industry evolves. If you’re an engineer looking to take the next step in your career or an organisation looking to hire your perfect fit, get in touch with us today and our friendly, experienced team will be there to support you throughout the recruitment process.

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Tom Simpson

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Tom Simpson is a passionate entrepreneur and the driving force behind Novum Personnel. With a background in commercial law and retail, Tom’s journey into business has been guided by his socialist values and a focus on people's development over monetary gain.

Tom’s commitment to keeping things simple and focusing on the needs of both clients and candidates has been key to his success. He’s not afraid to pivot and adapt, moving into construction and engineering recruitment when the market demands it and later seeing an opening in education recruitment.

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Tom Simpson is a true champion of business success, putting people and their passions at the heart of everything he does. His story is a testament to the power of simplicity, adaptability, and a people-first approach in business.