Filling the demand for new engineering jobs will generate an additional £27 billion per year for the UK economy from 2022, according to new research published today.

However, The State of Engineering Report 2015 produced by EngineeringUK says that to meet projected employer demand the number of engineering apprentices and graduates entering the industry will need to double.

The report analyses the engineering industry’s capacity and capability for growth and details engineering in education, training and employment. It shows that engineering accounts for a quarter (24.9%) of UK turnover - 9% higher than at the start of the recession.

However, more engineers are needed - engineering companies will need 182,000 people per year with engineering skills in the decade to 2022 but there is a current annual shortfall of 55,000 skilled workers.

Commenting on the research, Paul Jackson, Chief Executive, EngineeringUK, said:

‘Engineering is a vital part of the UK economy, not just in terms of significant turnover but also with regards employment. For every new engineering role an additional two jobs are created in the economy. The engineering community is increasingly involved in a collective drive to inspire the next generation, who will ensure the continued growth and success of the industry in the UK. This collaborative work must continue if we are to come even close to realising engineering’s potential.’

Miranda Davies, Director of Emerging Talent at engineering company Thales, said:

‘Britain is great at engineering but this will not continue if we don’t address the massive shortage of skills. We need young people to understand our industry better, to see the range of careers available and to be excited by where engineering could take them. We support the call for collaborative action across Government, business, the education sector and the wider engineering community to address the shortage of engineering skills.’

EngineeringUK  is now calling for collaborative action across government, engineering businesses, the education sector and the wider engineering community to realise its recommendations:

• Either a doubling of the number of engineering graduates or a 50% increase in the number of engineering and technology and other related STEM as well as non-STEM graduates who are known to enter engineering companies.
• A doubling of the number of young people studying GCSE physics as part of triple sciences and a growth in the number of students studying physics A level (or equivalent) to equal that of maths.
• A two-fold increase in the number of Advanced Apprenticeship achievements in engineering & manufacturing technology, construction planning & the built environment and information & communications technologies.
• Provision of careers inspiration for all 11-14 year olds. This should include opportunities for every child in that age bracket to have a t least one engineering experience with an employer. This inspiration must highlight high value placed on STEM skills and promote the diversity of engineering careers available.
• Support for teachers and careers advisors delivering careers information so that they understand the range of modern scientific, technological and engineering career paths, including vocational/technician roles.

Commenting on the EngineeringUK report, ICE Director General Nick Baveystock said:

 “The EngineeringUK report brings to the fore the vital importance of engineers of all disciplines to our economy, and the scale of the challenge we face in attracting and retaining a world class engineering workforce for the future.”

 “The engineering industry and Government are working together closely to achieve this, but the reality is that unless we as a society truly understand the rewards of a career in engineering, we are unlikely to attract the people we need.  Maths and science are key – but we must also explain that  innovation, creativity and problem solving that sit at the heart of engineering.”

Click here to access The State of Engineering report