The UK’s engineering sector is facing a serious challenge. Rapid technological change, major infrastructure projects, and the transition to green energy are driving demand for skilled engineers. But there aren’t enough trained people to meet this demand. This skills gap affects productivity, slows innovation, and can make it harder for businesses to grow.

Here we look at what the skills gap looks like, which roles are most affected, what the UK is doing about it, and what more can be done.

How Big Is the Skills Gap?

Recent surveys show the shortage is significant:

Source	Finding	Year
IET “Latest UK engineering and technology skills stats”	76% of engineering employers report difficulty recruiting for key roles, especially technical and sustainability skills	2025
ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Survey	80% of UK businesses report problems filling roles due to lack of skilled talent	2024
ManpowerGroup Engineering Employment Outlook	81% of engineering employers report difficulty finding the talent they need	2024–2025
BCC Quarterly Recruitment Outlook	82–85% of construction and engineering firms report recruitment problems	2024

Interpretation: Around 8 out of 10 engineering employers struggle to find staff with the right skills. The shortage is affecting multiple sectors and roles across the UK.

Which Skills Are Most in Demand?

The skills gap affects several areas. Below is a breakdown by sector and role:

Sector / Role	Skills Shortage / Hard-to-Fill Roles	Key Takeaways
Civil Engineering	Civil engineers and structural engineers; 84% rise in skills-related vacancies 2022–2024	Mid-level civil engineers are especially hard to attract
Electrical / Electrotechnical	Electricians, electrical fitters, and technicians; 46–48% of roles unfilled due to lack of qualifications	Persistent demand for both practical and certified skills
Mechanical Engineering / Fitters	Mechanical engineers and fitters; ~51% gap in demand vs supply in some trades	Skilled trades are under pressure; pipeline is limited
Project Managers / Design / Tech Support	Design engineers, project managers, technical support staff; 4–5% of positions unfilled	Technical and managerial roles also affected, not just trades

What Is the UK Doing About It?

The government has recognised the issue and launched several initiatives:

Funding for Training: £100 million announced to boost engineering training, with additional funding to expand the workforce for housing and infrastructure projects.
Apprenticeships and Vocational Education: Expansion of high-skilled apprenticeships to better match industry needs.
Immigration Schemes: Introduction of temporary shortage occupation lists for mid-skilled roles such as engineering technicians and welders.

What More Can Be Done?

Addressing the engineering skills gap requires a combination of government, industry, and educational action. Key strategies include:

Government Initiatives and Funding

Skills Bootcamps: £34 million invested to support free, flexible training in engineering and construction, with job interview guarantees (educationhub.blog.gov.uk).
Technical Excellence Colleges: £100 million invested to create multi-skill training hubs delivering apprenticeships in key trades (gov.uk).
Free Courses for Jobs: Adults aged 19+ earning below £25,750 can access free Level 2 and 3 qualifications in engineering and construction (gov.uk).

Industry Collaboration and Innovation

Enginuity’s Net Zero Week 2024: Promotes collaboration between industry and education to meet green technology skills needs (enginuity.org).
Stonehaven’s Industry Briefing: Highlights the need for a national strategy covering skills, technology, and culture change (stonehavenglobal.com).

Educational Reforms and Pathways

Royal Academy of Engineering’s “This is Engineering: Schools”: Hands-on activities and industry connections for 9-14-year-olds to inspire future engineers (borntoengineer.com).
Skills England: A national initiative unifying stakeholders to address the skills gap across all regions (commonslibrary.parliament.uk).

Employer-Led Strategies

ManpowerGroup 10-Step Plan: Conduct skills audits, identify gaps, and reskill staff to meet future needs (manpowergroup.co.uk).

Startingpoint: Bridging the Gap

Startingpoint: A careers portal helping individuals explore engineering and technology pathways. Startingpoint provides guidance, resources, and practical advice to navigate careers and develop the skills that employers are seeking (Startingpoint).

Securing Skills for Tomorrow

The UK engineering skills gap is significant, affecting civil, mechanical, electrical, and technical roles. By combining government investment, educational initiatives, employer-led strategies,