Future Prospects
By 2014, over three hundred thousand new engineer jobs and scientist jobs are expected to be required in the manufacturing sector. Since the manufacturing base in the UK is becoming increasingly led by technology, these engineers and scientists will need to be equipped with the skills to match. The current system does not appear to be up to the task, being confusing and inefficient.
Currently, the skills support system for engineering vacancies operates through several different routes. These include Train to Gain, Sector Skills Councils, and Business Link. The many different routes employed by this support system often results in an overly complicated system that's hard for people to navigate. Employers often say that they have a lot of trouble accessing and understanding the available support for training people in engineering jobs.
Because of this, changes are going to be made to the support system, with Business Link being made the primary access point for supporting businesses. Soon, according to the government, a single point of access will offer seamless service, and support and advice that are much straighter forward than before.
The manufacturing sector is the starting point, and will act as the pilot for these changes to the national skills development system. Eventually, these changes will spread to other sectors of the economy, helping businesses interested in filling engineer jobs and other positions. Sector skills councils are expected to be re-licensed, and Train to Gain will be redeveloped as a more integrated type of service. In addition, a Talent Map is slated to be developed - a plan of the system showing more clearly how employers will be able to work with agencies in the government.
Of course, government programs aren't the only method being used to help deal with this expected increase in the number of engineering vacancies. There are other proposals for the manufacturing industry, too. They include boosting the available number of quality apprenticeships, and offering support tailored to specific sectors as it's appropriate.
While the number of engineer jobs is expected to grow, there's some concern that qualified people won't be interested in filling them. One problem that's been identified is the need to improve the image of the manufacturing industry for people wanted to fill engineer jobs.
Efforts Put in by the Government
The creation of a body referred to as Manufacturing Insight has been planned by the government. The government will work with industry to create this body, which is intended to improve the image of manufacturing in the eyes of people who might be qualified to fill engineering jobs. It's considered particularly important to improve manufacturing's image in the eyes of the younger generation, which is increasingly prone to look for jobs in other sectors.
One method that the new organization is expected to use is improving the link between the careers advice service and schools, helping students realize that they could have an excellent career in engineering jobs. Businesses in this sector have cautiously welcomed this plan. They're aware that industries like defense and aerospace, which currently employ more than two hundred and fifty thousand extremely skilled workers (including those in engineer jobs) will soon need a significantly higher number of people with these types of skills to maintain its position in the world.
The government is specifically working with this industry to develop a long term skills plan for the aerospace industry. This plan is intended to find out and meet the needs of this sector when it comes to engineering vacancies and make changes to improve the situation overall. This important sub-sector of manufacturing has a significant need for people in engineering related jobs.
Nature of Engineer Jobs
Engineer jobs tend to be very lucrative, but they also require a significant amount of training. That means that many young people are reluctant to go into the field. It's important for the government to communicate the benefits of this type of job to people who could be qualified for it, and to help them get the skills needed to take engineering on as a career.
For those planning to become engineers or those who already have engineer jobs or related employment, the expected boom in the manufacturing sector could be a great thing. There may soon be more engineering vacancies than applicants, making it much easier to get one of these positions, and increasing the benefits for people in engineering careers.
Engineers are vital to the success of many industries, especially as technology becomes more important to these industries. Without enough people to fill engineering jobs, the UK could find its place in the global market slipping. Contract and permanent employees will be needed as engineers, engineering assistants, and in many other capacities. From the point of view of engineering job seekers, this could be a real opportunity.
