EngineeringUK releases updated workforce data
New workforce data released today by EngineeringUK reveals there are 6.4m people employed in engineering and technology roles in the UK.
Key workforce data:
- There are approximately 6.4m people working in engineering and technology occupations in the UK – around a fifth of the workforce (19.3%)
- Women remain significantly underrepresented in engineering and technology. Only 16.9% of the workforce are women, compared to 56% of other occupations
- UK minority ethnic groups are also underrepresented, making up 14% of the workforce, compared to 18% of other occupations
- Disabled people make up 14% of the engineering and technology workforce, lower than the 19% across all other occupations
EngineeringUK Head of Research, Becca Gooch said, “The latest data shows that there is still more to be done before we have the diverse workforce we need for UK engineering and technology to thrive. Women remain the most underrepresented group. Back in 2010, women made up around 10% of the workforce, so 16.9% is certainly an increase, but over 15 years, this is slow progress for a sector growing faster than any other between now and 2030.
“Our research shows introducing young people to what a career in engineering and technology could mean for them ignites a passion for STEM among young people from all backgrounds. STEM outreach programmes like The Big Bang, Energy Quest and Climate School Programmehelp bring to life real-world engineering and tech careers for young people. But we’d like the sector, which has a skills and labour shortage, to do much, much more to recruit and retain talented women.”
EngineeringUK has partnered with the Royal Academy of Engineering, Women’s Engineering Society (WES), BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, and Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) to address the underrepresentation of women. Together we will drive a collective mission to increase the number of girls in education pathways to engineering and technology at 18, focusing on key areas influencing girls and young women’s engineering and technology career choices. Read more about this work online at www.engineeringuk.com/genderpathways.
The latest briefing with the updated engineering and technology workforce data and analysis is available on the EngineeringUK website at www.engineeringuk.com/workforce.
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Notes to editors
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About EngineeringUK
EngineeringUK is a not-for-profit organisation that drives change so more young people choose engineering and technology careers. Our mission is to enable more young people from all backgrounds to be inspired, informed and progress into engineering and technology.
We work closely with our Corporate Members and in partnership with hundreds of organisations. We lead collaborative efforts to improve the impact of all engineering and tech inspiration and careers activities for young people through Tomorrow’s Engineers and managing The Tomorrow’s Engineers Code.
We ignite a passion for STEM among young people from all backgrounds through EUK Education and our school engagement programmes such as The Big Bang. Our careers resources help teachers bring STEM to life through real-world engineering and tech stories via Neon.
Our research and evidence build insight into the current workforce and our future needs. And our evaluations build understanding of what really works to inspire and inform the next generation. We also advocate for policy development in STEM and careers education and workforce planning for engineering and tech.
