Engineering, manufacturing, technology and construction: characteristics of the workforce

Based on the 2008 Annual Business Enquiry, there are approximately 132,000 organisations in the sector, employing just over 1.7 million people [Skills and the future of UK Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies 2011]. 47% of employees were in mature engineering industries - metals, mechanical and electrical equipment and transport equipment - with the West Midlands being the most important area for this group. Another 47% were employed in leading-edge technologies - electronics, marine, aerospace and other engineering - with the South East the most important region. The rest were employed in research and development, again the largest region of employment being the South East. 83% of employers were micro-businesses with between one and ten employees, and these are important potential employers for doctoral graduates. 9% of the workforce in this sector was self-employed. Self-employment is a growth area and is an option for doctoral graduates with the right mix of personal skills, reputation and good networks.

With the exception of the research and development industries there has been a net fall in the number of establishments over recent years. Over the period 1998-2007, there was a continuous reduction in employment levels in the mature engineering and leading-edge technology sectors and a more steady position within research and development. Since 2000, employment in research and development grew by 15%, the leading-edge technology sectors fell by 32% and the mature engineering sectors fell by 25%.