Engineering’s skills challenge requires an apprenticeship solution
by Tom Price, Chief Executive, Informed Engineering
Somebody gave me a chance, now it’s our turn to do the same.
Recently, I had the privilege of chairing a roundtable discussion on apprenticeships, supported by the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) 161st President, David Porter, at MidKent College. Alongside industry leaders, educators and employers, we discussed one of the biggest challenges facing our sector: how do we address the growing skills shortage in engineering?
What struck me most was that the answer was sitting right in front of us. We do not solve this challenge by competing for the same limited pool of experienced professionals. We solve it by creating opportunities, developing talent and investing in the next generation through apprenticeships, colleges and industry led education programmes – like the Class Of Your Own “Design Engineer Construct” (DEC) programme.
As an SME, Informed Engineering understands this challenge first hand. Like many businesses across the architecture, engineering and construction sector, we need skilled, motivated people who can help deliver the projects and infrastructure our communities depend on. But rather than looking solely at recruitment, we believe we have a responsibility to help grow the talent our industry needs.
My own career is proof of what can happen when someone is given an opportunity. I left school at 16 and started my career as an Engineer Technician. At the time, I could never have imagined that one day I would be leading an engineering firm or chairing discussions about the future of the profession for ICE. Looking back, the reason my career started was simple, somebody gave me a chance.
That chance opened the door to a rewarding career in engineering, one that has allowed me to work on incredible projects, meet outstanding people and contribute to an industry that genuinely shapes the world around us.
Today, I believe we have a duty to provide those same opportunities for others. That is why apprenticeships are so important. They are not simply a recruitment tool, they are an investment in the future of our profession.
They provide young people with a structured route into industry, allowing them to earn, learn and gain practical experience while developing the technical skills employers need.
They also help create a more sustainable talent pipeline. Every experienced engineer, designer and technician started somewhere. If we want a stronger profession in 10 or 20 years’ time, we must be willing to invest in people at the beginning of their careers today.
At Informed Engineering, this commitment is more than words. Earlier this year, we welcomed Noah Hatfield to the business as a Civil Engineering Technician Level 4 Apprentice.
Noah’s journey highlights exactly why partnerships between education and industry matter.
Having completed the DEC programme himself, Noah first connected with us at a recruitment event before undertaking a work experience placement with our team. During that time, he demonstrated the curiosity, professionalism and enthusiasm that we look for in future engineers.
Rather than letting that potential pass us by, we created an apprenticeship opportunity that provides a clear pathway into the profession.
His story demonstrates what can happen when schools, colleges, employers and programmes such as DEC work together.
We often talk about the need for more engineers, but the reality is that we already know how to create them. We simply need to continue investing in the pathways that identify talent early and support young people as they enter the profession.
This is particularly important when we consider the number of young people across the UK who are currently not in education, employment or training. At a time when industry needs talent and young people need opportunities, apprenticeships represent a practical solution that benefits individuals, businesses and society alike.
The roundtable discussion reinforced what many of us already know, the future of engineering depends on the decisions we make today.
If we are serious about addressing the skills challenge facing our industry, we must continue to champion apprenticeships, support technical education and create meaningful opportunities for young people.
After all, somebody gave 16-year-old me a chance. Now it’s our turn to do the same for the next generation.
There will also be more to follow soon on future Informed Engineering apprentices over the next six months and what it means to them.
