How is the UK’s Engineering Industry Performing in the Global Market?

The engineering industry is now more important and successful than ever, thanks to new technologies and expanding markets.

13:22 10 September 2015

Engineers have always been in demand, for society relies on their knowledge and expertise to build services, transport links and so much more. The engineering industry is now more important and successful than ever, thanks to new technologies and expanding markets.

The engineering world

First, what types of jobs and opportunities are in engineering? There are many different sectors where engineers are vital. These include civil engineering, such as building bridges and sewer systems. In the medical and pharmaceutical field, engineers develop machines to provide treatment and more effective medications. In the electrical sector, engineers create consumer goods, such as DVD players and washing machines. In the automotive area, engineers develop new vehicles with improved performance and safety features. In aerospace and defence, engineers develop state-of-the-art aeroplanes and aviation-related military machines, such as those found on the Sir Nigel Rudd Meggitt site. Meggitt is an industry leader in the specialist engineering sector. 

Out of all the different engineering sectors, the UK’s food and drink sector is the largest, employing more than 400,000 people. This sector is closely followed by the medical and pharmaceutical sector, with the majority of staff working in research and development (R&D). This sector attracts a significant number of recent graduates, who recognise that an engineering degree or similar qualification is a sure-fire route to success.

There are a few key areas that are destined to experience considerable growth in the next few years. Unsurprisingly, given the world crisis, fuel is the main area of growth, with demand growing by 40% over the last few years. The increase in fracking and a renewed interest in North Sea gas has created a huge demand for engineers in the oil and gas sector, while nuclear power is also set to expand globally.  Aerospace is another key area as more people are choosing to travel by air. But another, perhaps more unexpected area of growth is the space sector. This sector is called upon to develop advanced technologies and reliable electronics, balancing aspirations for exploration with the more mundane economic and environmental needs of the day. Up until now, the UK has not been known for its involvement in space exploration, but this seems set to change fast.

Another attractive aspect of working in the engineering sector is the diverse workplaces it offers. Depending on the particular engineering area, engineering staff can expect to work in an office, a factory, a research laboratory and even perhaps on an oilrig.

But what about the UK’s engineering sector on a global scale? The good news is that as new areas of the world open up, new engineering opportunities present themselves. Previous no-go areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa, are suddenly crying out for civil engineering infrastructure building, in which UK engineers have unrivalled knowledge and expertise. Britain has always led the way when it comes to science, discoveries and innovation.

 

A desire for Britain to move away from a banking-led economy to one of manufacturing is fuelling the demand for engineers and is positioning the UK as a world leader in engineering.