Executive Alignment for Engineering Jobs and Manufacturing Jobs

A skills shortage is leaving engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors without the skilled trade workers they need, and the ripple effects are significant. Economic growth slows, progress on global challenges like climate change stalls, and advancements in technology face new roadblocks.

These challenges stem from a complex mix of factors, each requiring targeted solutions. An ageing workforce, limited interest from younger generations, and the underrepresentation of women and individuals from BAME backgrounds are just some of the issues that these industries must address.

Our guide dives into the root causes of the skills shortage and outlines effective hiring strategies for the engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Why are Skilled Trade Workers Important? 

Economic Elevation 

Engineering jobs and manufacturing jobs are significant driving forces for economic growth worldwide. In the United States, manufacturing contributed $2.9tr to the GDP, the equivalent of just over 10% of all economic output in 2023. It also employed 13 million people, which is 8.3% of all US jobs. The engineering industry in the United Kingdom employs around six million people, equating to 18% of the working population. 

Technological Innovation 

Though two fields, engineering jobs and manufacturing jobs share a close relationship. Together, they combine to ensure the continual development of technological developments. An important pillar of technology’s evolution is research and development. Engineers with R&D roles work on projects that lay the foundations for manufacturing processes and product development. For example:

• Materials engineers develop new composite materials for aerospace applications. 

• Chemical engineers strive for more efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. 

• Biomedical engineers design prosthetics and cutting-edge medical devices. 

Engineering jobs and manufacturing jobs are essential for the acceleration of many areas in the technological space:

• Robotics and Automation: Engineers in robotics and automation buoy the development of systems that advance manufacturing. They build robotic systems for welding and painting and create automated handling systems for warehouses. 

• 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing: Engineers adept at 3D printing technologies are discovering new manufacturing methods, allowing rapid prototyping and complex designs. For instance, aerospace engineers utilise 3D printing to create lightweight aircraft parts. 

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Addressing Global Challenges 

Sustainability and protecting the environment are prevalent topics that need resolutions. Engineering jobs and manufacturing jobs are at the forefront of the fight against climate change; here’s how:

• Renewable Energy: Engineers are responsible for designing and installing many types of renewable energy, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric systems. Renewable energy’s role is pivotal for protecting the planet, and it’s forecast that by 2025, up to 35% of global power will be generated by renewables. 

• Green Manufacturing: Manufacturing engineers incorporate circular economy processes to minimise waste and reuse and recycle materials. Products will be designed for easier disassembly and recycling and optimising production processes to limit energy consumption. 

Explaining the Shortage of Skilled Trade Workers 

The skills shortage is a global problem, and the need for effective manufacturing recruitment is illustrated by the issues the United States faces. According to a report by The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte, 4.6 million manufacturing jobs need to be filled over the next decade. However, there’s a risk that 2.4 million will remain unfilled due to a dearth of skilled trade workers. 

Engineering recruitment is also pivotal. A report by EngineeringUK found that there’s an annual demand for 124,000 engineers and technicians who are equipped with core engineering skills. At the same time, there’s an additional need for 79,000 roles with a fusion of engineering knowledge and other skills. Engineering vacancies account for 17.1% (2.5 million) of all job openings, and between 2014 and 2024, it’s forecast that 13 million engineering jobs will be created due to skilled trade workers leaving their positions. 

Ageing Workforce 

An ageing workforce hampers jobs in engineering, and imminent retirements compound this. Disconcertingly, 73% of companies concede that an ageing workforce is a possible risk to their productivity. Substantiating this fear, the percentage of workers aged 55-64 and above 65 with engineering jobs increased from 14.8% to 15.9% and 2.3% to 3.7%. 

Manufacturing jobs mirror these challenges. More than half, 58%, of STEM professionals aged 50-65 are unlikely to seek a new role, indicating that retirement is the likely outcome. Demonstrating the ramifications of this dynamic, by 2030, it’s projected that there will be 2.1 million unfulfilled manufacturing jobs. 

Education Factors 

Senior figures in education note that flaws are impacting the engineering industry. Further education college principals rank engineering as the most difficult subject for employing experienced and qualified staff. 

Problems are apparent early in the education system. As an institution, there’s a lack of awareness among students that engineering and manufacturing are viable career routes. Only 42% of boys and 31% of girls know what steps to take after education to become an engineer. 

Issues continue into further education. It’s argued that STEM programs favour theoretical studies over the vocational aspects of engineering, creating a skills gap. Graduates find it difficult to translate theory-based studies to real-world engineering, where hands-on experience is paramount. 

Lack of Diversity 

The underrepresentation of women and ethnic minorities in engineering jobs and manufacturing jobs is depriving the sector of untapped talent. Gender imbalance is first encountered in the education system. 

Only 18.5% of engineering and technology undergraduates are female, compared with 56.5% across all subjects. In the United States, women account for less than 25% of engineering graduates. In the United Kingdom, underrepresentation continues in the workplace, with just 12% of engineers being women. 

BAME individuals make up 12% of the overall UK workforce. However, they account for only 8% of engineer and technician positions. Furthermore, a report by the Royal Academy of Engineering found that many engineers from underrepresented backgrounds feel the need to fit into a culture that doesn’t align with their own norms. Alarmingly, underrepresented groups with engineering jobs report increased rates of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. 

Solutions for the Skills Shortage 

Appealing to the Young 

As discussed, an ageing population is crippling the industries of engineering and manufacturing. Therefore, attracting young talent to fill the void is essential. Generating interest in STEM subjects from an early age is an approach that could act as a catalyst for new generations to view engineering and manufacturing as fruitful careers. This could be achieved by: 

• Encourage children to ask questions about how things work. 

• Engaging educational games and toys that promote problem-solving skills. 

• Providing primary schools with the support to teach STEM learning programs and activities. 

Another means to appeal to the young is by challenging the perception that engineering jobs are dirty and dominated by males. Additionally, apprenticeships act as a gateway to prosperous engineering careers. They offer a blend of mentorship and hands-on experience - which, as referenced, is arguably absent from the curriculum in further education. 

Attracting a Diverse Workforce  

The engineering and manufacturing sectors would benefit from expanding their talent pool. A McKinsey report discovered that gender-diverse companies outperform those without by 35%. To reap the rewards, organisations could strategically headhunt historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions. 

How could businesses increase the likelihood of appealing to a diverse pool of applicants? They could: 

• Implement Gender-Neutral Language: When constructing job descriptions, using inclusive language can help to connect with a broader range of qualified candidates. For example, a Harvard University found that masculine-coded language in job postings deter female applicants. 
  
  

• Blind Recruitment Process: Adopting a blind recruitment process reduces unconscious bias and concentrates solely on abilities and experience. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that blind recruitment resulted in a 50% increase in the number of women hired. 

Retaining Skilled Trade Workers 

In 2023, it was reported that 90% of workers in engineering and manufacturing were prepared to look for alternative work, and only 1 in 10 employees in these roles can be depended on to remain with their current employer. 

What can be done to curtail this trend? Feelings of being undervalued mean that 76% of employers will try and find another job. Offering benefits such as competitive pay, holidays, and training could decrease this figure. Moreover, there’s been a shift in the way people work. There’s a greater emphasis on flexibility, with 62% of professionals with engineering jobs and manufacturing jobs saying hybrid and flexible working hours are important to them. 

Final Say: The Skills Shortage in Engineering and Manufacturing

Skilled trade workers are integral to engineering jobs and manufacturing jobs, and the current skills shortage is hindering progress across several areas. For example, technological advancements are stunted, combatting climate change is thwarted, and economic growth is stalled. 

The reasons for this include an ageing workforce, flaws in education systems, and a lack of diversity. However, there are a range of solutions. It’s imperative that the industry makes significant efforts to attract young talent, promote diversity, and offer packages to retain experienced engineers and manufacturers. 

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