Employers struggling to find staff

Half (51%) of employers said they were recruiting engineering staff this year and, of those, more are finding it difficult to recruit the people they need compared to 2013.

The proportion of engineers who are female has not significantly improved since 2008 and stands at just 6% of the workforce. Despite this poor record, the survey suggests that 43% of employers are not taking any specific action to improve workplace diversity.

Other findings include:

•  59% of companies indicated concerns that a shortage of engineers would be a threat to their businesses

•  53% of employers believe they should get more involved with schools, colleges and universities to help change the perception of engineering among young people

•  44% of engineering, IT and technical recruits do not meet the employer’s expected levels of skills

•  52% of organisations anticipate employing more apprentices in 4 to 5 years’ time

Since 2013, the number of Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2) offered by employers has more than doubled but the number of Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4) has remained static.

Nigel Fine, IET Chief Executive, said: "Demand for engineers in the UK remains high. Research from Engineering UK suggests we need to find 87,000 new engineers each year for the next decade, so now is the time to act. Promoting engineering to women is particularly important given how few currently work as engineers, so it’s disappointing to see that so many employers are taking no real action to improve diversity. They need to take urgent steps to improve recruitment and retention of women, for example by promoting flexible and part time working, together with planned routes of progression that can accommodate career breaks.

"There also needs to be deeper engagement between employers and the education system to produce a talent pipeline that can sustain a thriving UK economy. Employers, educators, government and professional institutions like the IET need to focus on how best to inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians.”