Engineering and technology businesses expanding

Businesses in the engineering and technology sector are continuing to expand and recruit new staff, according to research published today by the Institution of Engineering and Technology .

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)'s annual skills survey of 400 companies across the engineering and technology sector reveals that nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of all companies interviewed cited business expansion as a reason for recruitment.

In addition, a high proportion (63 per cent) of companies are expecting to recruit staff this year.

By sector this ranges from 90 per cent in civil engineering, 78 per cent in energy, 73 per cent in defence and aerospace, 72 per cent in electrical and 70 per cent in electronics.

Although companies are primarily recruiting from the UK (94 per cent), the European Union remains the second largest source of recruitment.

And much of this recruitment (31 per cent) is from the newer member states.

The survey also reveals that there is a clear role for institutions like the IET to work in partnership with Governments and education providers to improve the profile of engineering.

Robin McGill, IET chief executive, said: "Unlike other surveys, ours is entirely focussed on engineering and technology, so the results give a clear view of what is happening just in this sector".

"The survey shows, that, although economic predictions are becoming increasingly pessimistic, engineering and technology is a vibrant, expanding sector which is creating new jobs and there is a strong demand for new skills.

"There is still a major need to change the image and profile of engineering and to improve education and in-school activities".

"The IET will continue to work with Governments and education providers to address these issues to ensure we have a suitably qualified pool of young people entering the profession every year.".

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