Despite the overwhelmingly gloomy headlines regarding graduate employment, there are still rare areas of opportunity to be found. Engineering is experiencing a steady growth rate and offers exciting opportunities, both at home and abroad.
In the UK, ongoing work on renewable energy projects, driven by government environmental commitments and an increased focus on energy security, is creating demand for sector specialist engineers. In a recent study of 350 senior engineers, more than 57% of respondents believe renewable energy will be the main growth area for engineering in the coming years. Indeed, engineering has a huge amount to contribute to the UK economy, and recognition is long overdue.
But employers in the sector are struggling as there is a dearth of candidates with sector-specific skills. As the overall candidate profile ages, there are fewer experienced engineers that employers can call on. Hiring managers will have to think of innovative ways to attract experienced candidates or provide better training programmes for new recruits to satisfy demand.
While this is a long-term challenge for the industry, it is also creating an opportunity for new recruits and engineers who have transferable skills from other sectors. For those looking to enter the profession, flexibility and a willingness to learn will be crucial to getting that first foot in the door.
Engineering is often perceived as a hands-on, technical profession but there is increasing demand for softer skills. After technical skills, research shows that 55% of hiring managers in the engineering sector think good communication skills are "essential".
Today's engineers have to interact with a far broader range of contacts than their predecessors. The ability to convey complex solutions, enthuse funding partners and work closely with non-engineering specialists is becoming a daily requirement, fuelling the need for excellent communicators.
For able candidates engineering has the potential to be a truly global career. There are exciting opportunities in the UK, but there is also employment to be found almost anywhere in the world. The international opportunities are exacerbating the UK's skills shortage, and UK employers should be aware of the level of competition for talent they face as Britain's strong global reputation for high standards of education drives international appetite for UK engineers.
There is a wealth of work in the Middle East and Asia where vast ongoing construction and infrastructure projects offer a near constant demand for skilled engineers of all specialties. There are also huge mining projects in western Australia that are creating thousands of engineering jobs in the country. Significant salary packages are currently being offered to attract engineers to work in the outback on projects lasting several years. The offer of higher salaries often tempts engineers abroad, but the experience of another culture and involvement with iconic foreign projects is a key draw.
The most common concern about working abroad is the impact on an employees' family and friends. While new technology, such as Skype or Facetime, go some way to ease the problem of communication, the issue of dislocation is something employers must meet head-on. To attract the best talent, employers can offer a good remuneration package, assistance to those making the move and give an allowance for return travel. This is a challenge for employers but can work in the favour of those looking to get ahead in the industry.
The combination of skills and the personal considerations now required to prosper in engineering is constantly changing. Ultimately, the new generation of engineer, armed with softer skills and a desire to follow jobs around the world is best placed to reap the rewards of engineering's enduring promise.
What is this article about?
Vocabulary
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire