The IET publishes results of engineering and technology skills survey

Results show a disconnect of attitudes

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) report reveals some contradictory perceptions from those surveyed.

The report, 2025 UK Engineering and Technology skills, looks at how organisations are responding to the fast-changing engineering and technology landscape.

Covering all aspects of the sector's skills requirements, the report finds that 61% of employers feel the current workforce is fit for purpose. However, 76% say they struggle to recruit for certain skills, with 30% particularly struggling to recruit technical/specialist sustainability skills.

The report looks at workforce development – with upskilling, apprenticeships and knowledge transfer in the spotlight – as well as the barriers preventing progress. It also examines how employers are engaging with education and tackling equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Beatrice Barleon, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at EngineeringUK, comments, “This report has some interesting insights and raises some important questions that need to be explored. 

“For example, we need to further understand why 34% of large engineering businesses don't employ any apprentices, and find solutions to address this. Similarly, we should consider how we grow the low number of SMEs getting involved in providing apprenticeships (currently only 33% report doing so). This is an area EngineeringUK continues to focus on, as seen with our recent work on foundation apprenticeships. We know others in the sector are also working hard to address this – such as the Edge Foundation with its new Apprenticeships Work campaign to encourage more SMEs to take on apprentices. 

“The findings also highlight we need to consider how we can increase the involvement and sponsorship of STEM outreach activities.” 

Some other key highlights from the report include: 

• The most important skills for business growth over the next 5 years are:
  • Innovative thinking (42%)
  • Technical/engineering and specialist digital skills (both 39%)
  • 50% cite lack of time as a barrier to upskilling/reskilling; 46% cite employees leaving after training
• On apprenticeships:
  • 51% of employers engage by employing apprentices (rising to 66% in large organisations)
  • 59% report that more than half or all apprentices remain employed after training
  • 48% use Apprenticeship Levy funding
• On gender and representation of women:
  • 70% of employers are interested in improving workforce diversity – and 52% have taken action in the past year
  • Of those taking action, 55% focused on sex/gender identity (with Scotland highest at 67%)
  • Flexible work is offered by 83% of employers, supporting inclusion
  • Large organisations are more likely to act on gender diversity than SMEs (58% vs 47%)

Download the report now