Engineers work across most of the major sectors of the economy, emphasising the importance of the sector to the economy. The manufacturing sector employs most registered engineers, accounting for 40% of employment in 2003. Figures show that around 60% of the UK’s exports of goods and services are of manufactured goods that are reliant on engineering skills. 

The majority of engineering establishments in Britain are very small, employing fewer than 50 people.  Only 7% of firms are medium business (employing 50-249 people). Whilst, approximately 1% of establishments employ more than 250 people, these account for around 37% of total employment in the sector.

Source: ETB 2005 and SEMTA 2003

For more information on land-based engineering go to the agriculture section.

For more in-depth information on the engineering sub-sectors see:

Automotive engineering

Aerospace engineering

Electronics

Marine