Engineering Skills Needs for 2023: Paving the Way for a Green Future

In the ever-evolving landscape of the United Kingdom’s economy, one thing remains clear: engineers are in high demand. As the country pushes towards becoming a net zero economy, the role of engineers becomes increasingly critical. A recent report commissioned by EngineeringUK, produced by Lightcast, sheds light on the current state of engineering skills needs and how the sector is evolving to meet the challenges of the future.



Engineering: A Growing Force in the UK Job Market



In 2021, engineering already accounted for a significant portion of the job market, with approximately 6.1 million engineering jobs, including tech roles, across all industries. This amounted to a staggering 19% of all jobs in the UK. This alone highlights the integral role that engineers play in the country’s economic engine.



Interestingly, the report reveals that engineering job vacancies have been on the rise, with the demand growing faster than for other occupations. Over the past five years, vacancies for ‘green engineering’ roles have surged by an impressive 55%. This surge reflects the increasing focus on sustainability and environmental considerations across industries.



The Green Revolution and Engineering Skills



A remarkable finding from the report is the substantial increase in ‘green engineering’ job postings. These roles are aimed at addressing the urgent challenge of climate change and promoting sustainable practices across various sectors. Over the course of a year, job postings for ‘green engineering’ roles shot up by 48%, reaching an astounding 212,000 postings between 2021 and 2022.



The significance of ‘green’ roles becomes evident when we consider the wide spectrum of sectors they span – from civil and electrical engineering to ICT and software development. This wide-reaching impact underscores the importance of incorporating sustainable practices across various industries.