Government shows promise on Industrial Strategy but skills gap must be closed

IMechE's Dr Alice Bunn joins the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) panel at the Labour Party Conference.​

Why the Industrial Strategy matters for engineers

The government’s Industrial Strategy could shape the next decade of work for the UK’s engineering community. It sets ambitions for clean growth, innovation and jobs. But without enough skilled engineers and technicians, these plans risk stalling.

For IMechE members, this is a critical moment. Engineering roles are projected to grow by 173,000 by 2030. Demand is outpacing supply. If government and industry do not act together, skills shortages could hold back entire sectors, from energy and transport to healthcare and manufacturing.

Engineers at the Labour Party Conference

To press this point, IMechE joined partners in the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) to host a high-profile panel at the Labour Party Conference. The event, Engineering a green and prosperous future, brought together IMechE's Dr Alice Bunn, Mark Ewen (from Mott MacDonald), Dr Scott Arthur MP and Antonia Bance MP.

IMechE Head of Policy Matt Rooney said:

“Dr Alice Bunn emphasised the key policy asks of the engineering community, the main one being an engineering and technology workforce strategy. The Industrial Strategy indicates good intentions, but we need to see proper delivery plans to ensure the clean economic growth that has been promised by the government is made a reality.”

The message to government

The panel’s call to the government was clear:

• Keep a whole-system view of growth to avoid sectors competing for the same skills. 
• Build a strong pipeline of engineers and technicians across all high-growth and enabling sectors.
• Provide long-term certainty to unlock investment and innovation.

What's next?

IMechE will continue working with NEPC, government and industry to push for a National Engineering and Technology Workforce Strategy. We look forward to working with the wider engineering community on the upcoming Skills White Paper this Autumn. Together, we must take a joined-up approach to make sure the UK has the right people, with the right skills, to deliver on the Industrial Strategy and drive sustainable economic growth.

Find out more about IMechE’s policy work and how you can get involved.