Engineering & manufacturing: key insights from 2018

The past year has been a time for development and opportunity within the engineering and manufacturing space. The UK Government declared 2018 ‘The Year of Engineering’, which highlights the desire for E&M to be a top sector to work in, in the future. Here are our key insights from the sector from the past 12 months.

How to attract and retain top talent

There is a perpetual need for fresh talent in the sector. The #ThisIsEngineering campaign is a push to young professionals to explore their potential opportunities, and develop an interest in the industry. Here are some key ways you can attract and retain top talent today.
  • Highlight your organisation’s unique selling points.
  • Outline the opportunities you can offer.
  • Create recognisable and positive company branding.
  • Invest in the development of your current staff.
  • Have a clear and appealing diversity and inclusion initiative.
It has never been more important for businesses to attract and retain top talent, due to today’s candidate-led market. Offering a good salary package isn’t the only draw for professionals today. Improving your wider businesses model can attract and retain the top candidates. 

The future of engineering and manufacturing

It won’t be a surprise that this sector is evolving through the implementation of various technologies. The utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are having a direct effect on the way that people work. The combination of technology and the human element of working have had a positive impact on the sector in a number of ways.
  • A better-informed customer journey lifecycle.
  • AI in conjunction with the Internet of Things (IoT) can revolutionise the way the manufacturing and engineering industries train staff and conduct machine diagnosis for better robotics and maintenance.
We have seen a rise in the need for professionals who have experience in managing profit margins, specifically project managers and operational leaders with skills in automation, upskilling, and continuous improvement. It is crucial now to ensure you are implementing processes for 2019 that will help your current team to gain skills and experience in working with AI and automation. As these will inevitably become more integrated with our workforce in the coming years.

The changing demand for skills

It is clear that the skillsets needed for engineering and manufacturing have progressed dramatically over recent years. This has altered the way that recruiters and hiring managers search for top talent, in that we are looking for professionals who have niche skill sets. Roles are evolving in a number of ways:
  • The increased use and integration of technology.
  • Using apprenticeships rather than higher education to gather skills.
  • Efficiency and productivity whilst working.
Different skill sets will be required to take on the job roles of the future. As a business, you should be continuously working on your training and development schemes, to upskill the talent you currently have. This ensures that you are preparing for the future that will incorporate different technologies, AI, and alternative ways of working.
If you would like more information about Engineering and Manufacturing, please explore our expertise hub. Alternatively, if you are looking to hire within the sector, please get in touch with one of our specialist recruitment consultants today, who can discuss all of your recruitment needs.