Strong engineering industry hindered by skills shortage

Britain’s engineering industry is driving productivity but a skills shortage is still large enough to trigger widespread concern for the long-term future

Britain’s engineering industry is driving productivity with benefits across the economy, however the gap between the supply and demand for people with engineering skills is still large enough to trigger widespread concern for the long-term future, according to EngineeringUK's 2016 The State of Engineering.

The report, produced by EngineeringUK to analyse the engineering industry’s capacity and capability for growth, showed that for every new job in engineering, two more are created outside of the sector and every £1 GVA generated in engineering generates £1.45 elsewhere.

It also showed that a doubling of the number of engineering and technology and other related Stem and non-Stem graduates who are known to enter engineering occupations is required.

Paul Jackson, chief executive of EngineeringUK, said: "Engineering is a growth industry that has the potential to continue to drive productivity in the UK. This is a great opportunity, tempered only by concern about the need to train many more engineering if we are not to be left behind by countries like South Korea and Germany."

Nick Boles, minister of state for skills, added: "These shortages are compounded by insufficient numbers of young people, especially girls, choosing a career in engineering. I am convinced we will only overcome these challenges if all those with an interest in UK engineering commit to greater collaboration and partnership."

The report concluded that Britain needs to be producing 69,000 more engineers than it is currently producing every year just to meet industry demand. 

Peter Finegold, head of education and skills at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: "Without the development of these skills, the UK will be unable to complete the vital infrastructure projects in the transport and energy sectors the country so desperately needs. We need enough people with the right skills to be confident of the country’s economic growth.

“It is time that the country’s economic priorities are reflected in the education sector and that science and technology subjects are promoted to more than just the obvious candidates. We need to change the way engineering is promoted and make it more attractive to more students by championing the creative aspects of the discipline and the fundamental role engineers play in our society to sectors as diverse as healthcare, food production and conservation."