A recent study conducted by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board predicts that by 2026, 91,000 engineers – nearly 20 per cent of the current UK engineering workforce –  will have retired or be on the verge of retirement.

With a significant labour shortage, the engineering sector faces a challenge in recruiting new talent to solidify the industry’s future.

^[1] https://www.theengineeringtrust.org/employer/skills-gap

To celebrate National Engineering Day on November 5th, Sim Sharphouse, Operations Manager at Salko UK, explores the opportunities available for engineers in 2025 and beyond and the visibility of engineering roles in the UK amid a skills and talent shortage.

Addressing the industry’s talent shortage

Firstly, we need leaders to commit to dedicating team time to training and development to help close the skills and labour gap. While apprenticeships offer the chance to learn skills at the start of an individual’s career, leaders within the industry can also look to introduce and implement ‘improverships’.

These improverships would include conducting assessments to identify current skills and areas for improvement among employees. This would identify where more efforts were needed to address gaps or uncertainties in knowledge as a group.

Personally, I started my career at Salko UK as an apprentice, working my way up to the ranks through upskilling opportunities to secure my position as an Operations Manager. Throughout my career, I have found that the key to upskilling and advancing was my willingness to learn, putting myself out there for development opportunities and asking questions. This approach allowed me to showcase my commitment to progression, the business and being a team player. It’s important to remember that upskilling benefits both your personal journey and the company – the advantages work both ways.

Secondly, when addressing the skills shortage, we need to think strategically about where resources are needed. The energy industry, for example, is faced with a huge task of decarbonising in the next five years, and so trained specialists in these areas are essential. This means less focus on fossil fuels and more incentives to train individuals in renewable energies and alternative sources of fuel. At Salko UK, we are proud to recruit engineers cleared for contracts in the nuclear sector as we move towards a renewable future.

Recruiting the next generation

Starting a career in this industry is not easy, as it often requires long hours on-site and time away from home. Lots of M&E firms operate across the country, and there were times when I was away from home for months whilst on site, which can be challenging. However, I was aware early on of the substantial opportunities for progression, which motivated me to advance.

My advice to anyone looking to enter the industry is not to give up, to keep the bigger picture in mind and to recognise the potential for progress. You need to be willing to persevere –  those who stick with it and can adapt to working away will benefit in the long run. There are so many options for progression within the M&E industry.

The future looks exciting for the M&E industry. The rise of renewables and the commitment to achieving Net Zero present an opportunity to significantly change how we operate as a global community. As engineering evolves to meet the demands of our changing world, the prospects for growth and innovation are even more exciting.

Sim recently spoke to Construction UK about his career journey – to read more, visit: https://constructionmaguk.co.uk/the-next-generation-workforce-in-construction-apprenticeships-and-careers-at-salko-uk/