Articles
1. Do you work for a UK-owned company?
Yes: 55%
No: 45%
Don't know: 0%
The slight skew towards UK-owned businesses reflects the spread of engineers between larger multinationals and small and medium-sized companies, which tend to be owned and run domestically. Some commented that the ownership of their companies changes so often that it does not seem to matter any more.
2. Does the boss of your company live in the same country as you?
Yes: 61%
No: 35%
Don't know: 4%
More often that not the manager of the group arm or the UK division of a large multinational is based in the UK, but the big decisions are made elsewhere. Corporate structures aside, having your boss down the corridor, in the same building, or at least in the same country, seems to be the norm.
3. Do you think today’s multinational engineering firms are more likely to cut jobs overseas before they cut jobs on home soil?
Yes: 44%
No: 40%
Don't know: 16%
A split in opinion over a complex issue, with some PE readers unwilling to generalise to the extent demanded by the question. On the whole, there was a perception that more lenient employment laws in the UK meant that job cuts were more likely here than elsewhere in Europe. On the other hand, many believed that what mattered most was where the headquarters of the company is, with companies in countries such as Japan more likely to cut jobs overseas before they cut at home. Some said that industry is so multinational now that such decisions are always taken for business reasons.
4. Should the UK government intervene to guarantee the continuance of core industrial capabilities, such as steel production?
Yes: 80%
No: 13%
Don't know: 7%
PE readers feel strongly that core capabilities should be retained and that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure security and prosperity.
5. Should the government restrict the ownership of key infrastructure and utilities, such as railways and power stations, to UK-based companies?
Yes: 72%
No: 21%
Don't know: 7%
Most believe restrictions on ownership of infrastructure and utilities are needed to protect the national interest, although some recognise the investment issues.
6. Do you feel that foreign ownership of large swathes of UK industry makes the country less economically secure?
Yes: 69%
No: 24%
Don't know: 7%
Without veering too dangerously into xenophobia, there is a feeling that selling too much means profits and business leak out of the country. However some say the argument is not this straightforward.
7. Did the international aspects of engineering attract you to the profession when you were selecting your career?
Yes: 41%
No: 56%
Don't know: 3%
A somewhat surprising answer this, the received
wisdom being that the opportunity to travel is one of the profession’s most attractive aspects. Many do claim it as an influence though and it would be interesting to see how recent entrants to the profession would prioritise job security over opportunity to travel, for instance.
8. Is it important to the future viability of your business that it is able to recruit foreign engineers as easily as possible?
Yes: 57%
No: 35%
Don't know: 8%
When the UK leaves the EU, one of the challenges to engineering firms is anticipated to be recruiting the skilled workers they currently get from Europe domestically. This response echoes that.
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If so send us an email to pe@caspianmedia.com with the words Panel Member in the message box and we will add you to future correspondence.