UK Skills Shortage List
The UK faces one of the largest engineering skills gaps in Europe.
Demand is being driven by:
- Major infrastructure projects (HS2, rail upgrades, highways, water networks)
- Energy transition (renewables, grid upgrades, hydrogen, nuclear)
- Defence and aerospace investment
- Digitalisation and automation
- Ageing workforce and retirement rates
Below is a full breakdown of the engineering skills currently in highest demand.
Construction and Infrastructure Engineering
These roles are consistently listed as national shortages:
- Civil Engineers
- Structural Engineers
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Highways & Transport Engineers
- Water & Wastewater Engineers
- Construction Engineers
- Site Engineers
- Project Engineers
- Planning Engineers
- Cost Engineers / Cost Controllers
- Estimators
- Quality Engineers
- Health & Safety Engineers
Why in demand:
Massive infrastructure investment + chronic shortage of qualified engineers.
Energy, Renewables and Power Engineering
Driven by net‑zero targets and grid modernisation:
- Electrical Engineers
- Power Systems Engineers
- Grid Connection Engineers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Solar PV Engineers
- Wind Turbine Engineers
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- HV/LV Electrical Specialists
Why in demand:
The UK must triple renewable capacity and upgrade the grid — but lacks specialists.
Nuclear Engineering
Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C, and defence programmes are creating huge demand:
- Nuclear Engineers
- Safety Case Engineers
- Radiation Protection Engineers
- Decommissioning Engineers
- Waste Management Engineers
- Nuclear Project Engineers
- Quality Assurance (Nuclear)
Why in demand:
Nuclear is a long‑term national priority with a limited talent pool.
Mechanical, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
Shortages across traditional and advanced manufacturing:
- Mechanical Engineers
- HVAC Engineers
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Process Engineers
- Production Engineers
- Rotating Equipment Engineers
Why in demand:
Manufacturing recovery + automation + ageing workforce.
Digital, Automation and Systems Engineering
Engineering is becoming more digital, creating demand for hybrid skillsets:
- Control Systems Engineers
- Automation Engineers
- SCADA Engineers
- Instrumentation & Controls Engineers
- Data Engineers (Industrial)
- Software Engineers (Engineering Systems)
- AI/ML Engineers (Industrial Applications)
Why in demand:
Industry 4.0 adoption across utilities, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
Skilled Trades and Technical Engineering Roles
These are some of the UK’s most severe shortages:
- Welders
- Fabricators
- Pipefitters
- Electricians
- Mechanical Technicians
- NDT Technicians
- Scaffolding Design Engineers
- CAD Technicians
Why in demand:
High retirement rates + fewer apprentices entering the trades.
Environmental and Sustainability Engineering
Driven by regulatory pressure and net‑zero commitments:
- Environmental Engineers
- Sustainability Engineers
- Carbon Reduction Engineers
- Waste Management Engineers
- Climate / Energy Transition Engineers
Why in demand:
Every major project now requires environmental compliance and carbon planning.
In Summary:
The UK’s Most In‑Demand Engineering Skills
- Civil, Structural & Electrical Engineers
- Nuclear Engineers & Safety Case Specialists
- Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineers
- Automation, Controls & Digital Engineers
- Skilled Trades (Welders, Electricians, Technicians)
- Environmental & Sustainability Engineers
These shortages are expected to continue for the next decade.
