The Engineering & Technical industry: Market Trends and Candidates in 2025
The UK’s engineering and technical landscape has remained resilient into 2025, with hiring staying steady across core sectors of the industry including manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and advanced technology. Despite ongoing economic caution, there’s no slowdown in demand for high-skill talent — especially where skills shortages have become long-term structural issues.
We’re seeing particular momentum in roles connected to automation and digital transformation. Our Maintenance, Design & Development, Quality and Industrial Engineering teams in particular are receiving increasing requirements for hands on and digital system experience. Whether it’s a food manufacturer investing in automation, an electronic manufacturing business optimising production with smart systems, or medical devices company enhancing traceability and compliance through digital tools, the challenge is the same: finding technical expertise and character suited to adapting, problem solving and driving progress.
Skills shortages remain a critical issue for the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sectors, with projections indicating a shortfall of 37,000 to 59,000 engineers annually. This gap threatens to limit growth and impede vital projects. The pace of wage inflation is reducing but remains a continuing factor, so employers need to act quickly and decisively when strong candidates enter the market.
However, there are opportunities too, especially for businesses willing to invest in their employer branding, workforce development, and clear long-term progression. Beyond financial considerations candidates are prioritising cultural factors and professional development opportunities, and in a competitive market those conversations are often what’s swaying decisions at offer stage.
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Contact Yolk's Engineering & Technical team direct below.
Email: engineering@yolkrecruitment.com
Call: 029 2022 0078