Energy sector fires up demand for engineering skills

A SURGE in infrastructure investment is fuelling demand for engineers, sparking skills shortages across the sector, research today indicates.

Engineering vacancies for permanent and temporary jobs have increased since the start of 2011, particularly in the energy sector, including oil and gas and renewables.

Firms in other sectors such as aerospace were reporting skills shortages, according to the study by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (Apsco).

Its findings come after trade body Scottish Engineering recently noted that many companies were reporting skills shortages, with welders in high demand.

Ann Swain, head of Apsco, said: “Engineering remains the bright spot among the professional jobs market at the moment. The UK has a long-term shortage of engineering skills. With demand so strong, the government needs to ensure that the UK’s historical underproduction of engineering skills does not impede growth in vitals sectors such as oil and gas and power generation.”