Institution news
Over 3500 members of the Institution from around the world took the time to complete a survey into their skills and employment preferences. It reflected their views on international career mobility - including their experience of working overseas – to reveal the factors that lead engineers to look for work abroad, and what prompts employers to recruit workers from other countries.
The report into
global labour and mobility reveals that four in ten employers, who have recruited mechanical engineers from overseas, have done so as a result of a shortage of relevant skills in the UK.
Of those responsible for hiring UK staff, 88% said their organisation had employed engineers from abroad. Half of these employers had recruited from overseas to find specific-sector experience and 42% had done so due to the shortages of relevant skills within the country. Employers also recruited from overseas due to the quality of education (28%) and work ethic of candidates (17%).
While UK employers are looking overseas for skills, mechanical engineers within the UK are very aware of the opportunities they have and the high regard in which their training and qualifications are held around the world. The majority (83%) said they would consider a career move to another country and over half (53%) of UK respondents would consider a move to another country even if pay and remuneration were not greater than in the UK.
The UK remains a popular destination for engineers and 84% of international survey respondents said they would consider working in the UK. Worryingly, however, although 69% of UK respondents believe there are enough opportunities for them at home, only 17% think enough is being done to recognise the work of professional engineers, causing many to consider their job prospects elsewhere.
Dr Colin Brown, Director of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, commented:
“The UK needs to realise that it is competing in a world market for engineering talent. We are historically very proficient at teaching and researching engineering in this country, but we must be wary as this survey shows that only 15% of those who responded definitely see their future in the UK. There is already a shortage of new engineers coming through which will only get worse if we fail to excite those who have trained here.”
Greg Lettington, Director, Hays Engineering said:
“The report illustrates the talent mismatch the industry faces. On the one hand employers are struggling to find the skilled individuals they need, and looking further afield to find them, while engineers believe their recognition in the UK is limited when compared to other countries and are looking to pursue their career development overseas. It is positive news that UK engineers are so valued internationally, but this poses a threat to the success of domestic projects where mechanical engineers are difficult to find. Employers in the UK need to look at how they can retain talent, whilst also attracting the best talent from overseas.”
In the report Hays makes four recommendations to ensure that engineering in the UK is seen as a desirable career and attracts the best talent to the industry from both home and overseas:
• The industry must promote the profession as a fulfilling and rewarding career, with excellent remuneration available and recognition for projects that deliver value to society;
• The Government should offer greater flexibility over immigration of professional, qualified engineers required to deliver projects critical to the country’s economic success;
• The Government should be encouraged to offer subsidies to study engineering, and employers should ensure they offer sufficient support to aspiring engineers currently in education;
• Industry should ensure greater promotion of the work of mechanical engineers to raise public awareness and visibility.
The Institution would like to thank the many members who took the time to contribute their responses to the survey, in order to compile this contemporary report.
Global Movements: Developing Opportunity