Engineering is vital to the goals of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, but a fresh approach is needed to develop a robust pipeline of skilled engineers and technicians capable of turning the government’s vision into reality, according to a new report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
Engineering underpins all eight of the growth sectors identified by the government as crucial to its strategy. But, says IMechE in ‘Engineering the UK’s Future’, without a growing pipeline of newly trained engineers and technicians, in addition to reskilling programmes, the strategy may be ‘setting itself up for failure before it begins’.
The Institution calls for the creation of a comprehensive National Engineering and Technology Workforce Strategy to address the skills shortage that threatens to undermine growth in target sectors like clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
IMechE says already published industry analysis shows:
• The UK already needs 124,000 new engineers and technicians annually to meet current projected demand
• Nearly half (49%) of engineering businesses are experiencing difficulties in the skills available to them when trying to recruit
• In clean energy alone, it is estimated that the UK will need to fill 400,000 roles by 2050, 260,000 of which will be new roles
- In the buildings sector, retrofitting will require the training of 45,000 technicians each year.
The report represents a summary of the Institution’s response to the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy Green Paper that was published in October last year. IMechE President Clive Hickman OBE said: “A strong industrial strategy is vital to the UK’s economic future, and engineers are central to its success. From driving innovation to building the infrastructure and solutions that enable growth, engineers turn ambition into reality.”
IMechE says a National Engineering and Technology Workforce Strategy should be developed in collaboration with industry and take a holistic approach, working with the devolved administrations to address UK-wide skills shortages, with influence nationally and regionally and at all stages of education.
The strategy should include:
• Expanding career support in STEM: Address the shortage of STEM teachers and improve career guidance to attract young talent, particularly from underrepresented groups.
• Developing flexible, modular qualifications: Workers will be able to continuously upskill as technologies advance.
• Improving diversity: Encourage participation from women, ethnic minorities and other underrepresented groups to foster a more inclusive profession. As of 2023, women represented just 14% of the core engineering workforce in the UK, compared to 52% of the rest of the workforce.
• Encouraging lifelong learning: Implement policies that incentivise continuous professional development, especially in sectors undergoing significant transitions, such as the shift from offshore oil and gas to renewable energy like offshore wind and wave.
In its report, the Institution also highlights the importance of systems thinking in problem-solving industrial challenges and the need to invest in large-scale demonstration and test facilities which have proven successful in advancing high-integrity engineering solutions.
Download the report: https://www.imeche.org/policy-and-press/reports/detail/engineering-the-uk-s-future