Technical Hiring Predictions For 2022

As 2021 turns into 2022, what can we expect from the technical and automation sectors regarding hiring decisions?

16:26 16 December 2021

As 2021 turns into 2022, what can we expect from the technical and automation sectors regarding hiring decisions? Will they be markedly different to other sectors when it comes to the whys and hows of hiring?

 

Remote work in tech to continue

The technical sector, including automation and robotics, will see many continue to work remotely as we begin to work with new normals and adapt and adjust as Covid-19 evolves. Automation and robotics is certainly a sector that has adapted well to flexible and agile working. There is far less need or pressure for these individuals to return to the office than in many other industries. Hiring candidates throughout many sectors have become a virtual process, which the technical hiring sector does exceptionally well. It also benefits from being a sector where it is quite possible to have specialised personnel operating remotely as effectively as office-based counterparts.

 

Robotics and Automation to soar

We have for some years seen an upturn in the internet and eCommerce sectors, which Covid has accelerated. We are seeing a rise in robotics and automation candidates required to meet demands for online ordering, faster deliveries and smoother streamlined manufacturing processes. This is good news for the technical recruitment sector as we certainly see this continuing throughout 2022 and beyond. Companies must move with the times and are hiring talent to do so. The good news is that many candidate skills are transferable across technologies, roles, and sectors to meet the requirement for engineers and technical personnel for programming, machine maintenance, robotics integration and associated maintenance, whether as a permanent employee or contract-based.

 

Offshore recruitment to rise

We expect to see a rise in offshore recruitment. Salaries are lower outside of the UK and a drive to protect revenue without compromising quality has seen virtual hiring. Remote working will see organisations widen their search for suitable candidates, often turning to technical recruitment hiring specialists to assist them.

 

AI in recruitment

AI and data work well to identify candidates that have the hard skills suited to technical roles. Statistical analysis assists AI recruitment in identifying suitable candidates. AI recruitment is vastly different from hiring on-hand professionals such as doctors, nurses, or soft skill professions, where it isn’t possible in the same way to assess knowledge or skills transfer.

 

Manufacturing back in-house?

Supply chain issues following Brexit have seen a strong desire to bring manufacturing back to the UK. The pandemic timing has also reinforced the shift in opinion that we must as a nation be more resilient, independent and productive. If we can manufacture, produce and distribute more on our own shores, we will not be so reliant on the rest of the world for our future and the success of our industries. This requires manufacturers to produce competitively priced products to compete and win over foreign competition. As a result, we expect to see a rise in industrial automation to fulfil the demand for UK manufacturing growth as we move to create more robust UK supply chains capable of supporting the expected upturn in UK production and distribution. As a result, we are confident that the technical recruitment sector will increase demand for suitable candidates in all associated industries. Robotics recruitment, particularly during 2022, will be an area that technical recruitment experts are gearing up for. Recruiters’ specialist knowledge is likely to be invaluable in helping businesses identify suitable candidates.

 

Get ahead of the trends

With skills required varying from manufacturer to manufacturer and companies investing more heavily in automation and robotics, many companies are rushing to upskill yet find themselves with knowledge gaps that a specialist technical recruitment agency will help them fill. As we move forward post lockdown, the candidate databases built by these robotics and automation recruiters will be there to meet demands for permanent or contract, hire engineers, commercial or supply chain teams. They can ensure resources and skills in the numbers needed are there when they need them. They offer access to a database of previously identified vetted candidates available for businesses to grow post coronavirus and Brexit. Creating a robust UK based production supply chain solution will be demanded in 2022 and beyond.