Fixing the engineering and manufacturing skills shortage

Time to combat the UK skills shortage

The clock is ticking for engineering and manufacturing! A study by the ECITB predicts a nearly 20% of the current UK manufacturing workforce is set to retire by 2026, leaving a significant skills shortage that needs to be addressed.  

But fear not, there's a solution, and it starts with building a robust talent pipeline. 

How to develop your talent pipeline

1. Early talent and diverse pipelines:

Did you know, almost a quarter of UK adults believe we need to encourage girls in STEM from a younger age as a crucial step to closing the gender pay gap?  

Diverse teams bring a wealth of perspectives and drive innovation. Women like Amy Neal, HSE Manager at Fosroc, prove that gender shouldn't limit opportunity.

There used to be an assumption that women didn't want to get their 'hands dirty' so to speak but I think, part of my nature as a woman is that I'm curious, and manufacturing is a great place for that. 

When you're in the right company in manufacturing, gender is irrelevant; the skills I have to bring is what's important, not my gender. I've found that being in manufacturing expands your mind, and some of those thoughts carry through and add value to your home life, too. I believe it's important that women go into these traditionally male dominated environments as it's the only way they continue to evolve.

By investing in initiatives such as graduate development programmes and fostering long-term relationships with universities and vocational schools, you can find more avenues to source talent and ensure you’re hiring a diverse pool of people to form your team

2. Upskilling and retaining your talent

Don't just hire, invest. Upskilling your current workforce ensures they stay relevant and keeps valuable knowledge from disappearing sooner than you’d like.  

Investing in your current workforce isn't just about plugging the skills gap – it's about unlocking their full potential. Here's how a win-win strategy benefits both your employees and your business:

• Future-proof your team: Get your team for the future by offering training, conferences, or online courses to help them gain new skills and prevent skill decay. This keeps them engaged, motivated, and adaptable in a rapidly changing industry.
• Boost employee morale: Investing in your employees' development shows that you value them and their growth. This can lead to increased job satisfaction, loyalty, and productivity.
• Bridge the knowledge gap: Experienced workers hold a wealth of practical knowledge. By incentivising mentorship programmes, you can ensure this valuable know-how is transferred to the next generation, preventing skill loss.

3. Preparing young talent: Best practices for success

Nearly half (47%) of apprentices quit their programmes each year. This highlights the need to go beyond just attracting young talent; we need to retain them and ensure they thrive.  

A structured programme with clear goals and a supportive environment fosters long-term success. And while creating a positive and engaging apprenticeship experience is crucial, it's not the only piece of the puzzle.  

Matt Devine, Senior Customer Engagement Director shares how organisations can bridge this gap. Watch Matt’s video for insights now: 

Headlining takeaways from Matt:

• Prepare young talent by bridging the gap between education and the workplace, ensuring young talent is equipped for success from day one. Learn how to effectively prepare and integrate junior employees into your workforce, maximising their potential.
• Tap into the power of skill transfer with mentorship programmes. This can foster knowledge sharing between generations, ensuring valuable skills aren't lost.
• Embrace and encourage inclusive project groups to accelerate learning and integrate new talent seamlessly.

By implementing these best practices, you'll create a thriving environment that attracts, retains, and develops top talent in engineering and manufacturing.

Remember: Collaborative action across businesses, education, and local authorities is crucial for a long-term solution.

Ready to combat the skills shortage?

Michael Page can help you find the right talent, develop your existing workforce with our HR Advisory support, and build a diverse and future-proof team.  

Explore engineering and manufacturing recruitment services for you today and connect with our experts to discuss your hiring needs.

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