Operators account for 37% of the engineering workforce in Wales, whilst technicians represent 14% of the workforce. Male workers account for nearly 80% of all employees. Female workers are mainly found in operator/assembler, or administrative and clerical roles. Technical roles are staffed predominately by men particularly in the electronics industry.

At least one vacancy was reported by 23% of establishments in the engineering sector and 18% reported hard-to-fill vacancies. These are comparable to the figures for Wales (22% reporting at least one vacancy and 14% reporting hard-to-fill vacancies). However, a much higher proportion of establishments are reporting skills shortage vacancies in the sector (14%) compared to the 7% Wales figure.

In comparison to Great Britain, Welsh establishments employ a greater proportion of apprentices or recognised trainees. Off-the-job training is funded or arranged by 59% of establishments in the sector, compared to 53% in Wales. The levels of investment in off-the-job training have increased over the last 3 years for 34% of establishments in the sector, 45% reported the similar levels of investments and 8% reported a decrease. Barriers to training include the cost of training and allowing staff to have the time away from work.

2% of the engineering workforce in Wales are from minority ethnic groups.

In Wales, the automotive sector has over 150 workplaces and 10,000 employees. There are a further 200 plus workplace in supply chain. In comparison, the electronics sector has over 600 workplaces and 15,500 employees plus a further 37,600 employees in supply chain. The aerospace accounts for 6% of total UK aerospace employment and is located in Cardiff and North Wales. However, Wales has a different occupational profile to the rest of UK aerospace as there is a much greater reliance on machine operatives (28%) and fewer higher level occupations (20%). There are over 50 aerospace workplaces in Wales employing over 6,000. Supply chain has a further 150 workplaces and an additional 20,000 employees.

Source: SEMTA 2006, Future Skills Wales 2005 and Wales regional report 2002

For more information on training, provision and supply in the sector from compulsory education, apprentices and higher education go to SEMTA (2006) Sector Skills Agreement.