Demand for medium and higher level engineering skills is increasing with many engineering employers experiencing difficulties filling vacancies.  This is despite some job roles in engineering being in decline due to changes in production methods and the introduction of new technologies over the past few decades.  Sector information

There are skills shortages across all skills levels, but especially in relation to the higher skilled engineering roles. Sector information

There is an urgent need to up-skill the Engineering workforce, and to address the fundamental question as to who is responsible for ensuring that engineers have the skills necessary to progress. Sector information

The composition of the engineering sector varies by region; all regions have some representation of engineering industries, but only Merseyside is forecast to have an increase in employment in engineering. Regional and national dimension

An estimated 230,000 additional jobs will be required by 2014, with the largest increases for skilled trades and amongst machine and transport operatives. Occupations

Women and people from minority ethnic groups are greatly under-represented in engineering. Equal opportunities

Developing appropriate qualifications and learning programmes is a key priority for the Engineering sector. Registered engineers earn considerably more than the national average for their counterparts in other sectors. Education and training

Registered engineers earn considerably more than the national average for their counterparts in other sectors. Occupations

Sector information

This contains an overview of the sector as a whole, details future trends in employment together with skill gaps and workforce development issues.

Data and charts

Links to the charts contained within this sector are listed.

Regional / national dimension

Information on regional trends and differences, together with trends in the home nations including Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Occupations

Information and trends on sectoral occupations.

Equal opportunities

Key information on equal opportunity issues specific to the sector.

Education and training

Education and training information and issues including work-based learning, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and further and higher education courses.

Research

A list of recent research publications which is intended to be a starting point for those wishing for more detail on the sector.

Discussion points

Thought-provoking and challenging questions to start discussions.

Sector summary: engineering

This summary gives a brief overview of the key trends in the sector.

Links and sources

This contains direct links to all the materials used to compile this sector. More in-depth and detailed information can be found in the source materials as only key points have been extracted. In addition, websites and further sources which may be of interest have been included.