The UK chemical industry has changed dramatically over the last 25 years and is now facing a growing scarcity of highly skilled staff.
To ensure that the industry remains at the global forefront in areas such as products and processes, it is vital that organisations undertake strategic manpower planning incorporating staff recruitment, training and development.
The ‘Engineering UK 2013’ report confirms that the chemical sector will continue to grow rapidly in the UK and the demand for highly specialist staff will increase. It also highlights that in the UK there will be a demand for over 87,000 HNC and graduate engineers annually by 2020, despite only 46,000 engineering related university places currently being available. This has created a dichotomy, mirrored within the scientific field.
The government recognises this problem and has placed great emphasis on apprenticeships in order to meet the skills gap in engineering and science. However, as schools are funded based on performance this approach is flawed, as it’s in a school’s best interest to encourage students towards A Levels rather than apprenticeships. The government needs schools to improve their careers advice, to help make students aware that opportunities exist within the chemical industry at all levels, not just graduate.
Organisations such as STEMnet have an increasingly important role to play in creating a stronger link between schools and industry, but it is not just up to them. Companies must play a major part in building relationships with local secondary schools to encourage pupils into careers within the chemical and life sciences industries.
Ashley Kirk, fellow Director and founder of CKA Group, states, “Over the last 20 years one of the great tragedies is that highly paid roles in finance and commerce have drained candidates from the UK scientific sector.” Despite this, engineering and science are major growth areas at degree level but there is still a gap between graduates and heightened demand. The solution is to increase places and courses within these fields. This is starting to happen slowly, and though the political will is there, financial support to expand universities takes time to gather.
The skills gap has seen employers struggle to source scientists and engineers within the UK with 5-15 years industrial experience. One useful solution is to employ the increasing number of European candidates applying for UK jobs. At CK we have noticed that over the last two years the number of European candidate applying for UK jobs has tripled. This is certainly a good short term plug, but it is vital that the government and the chemical industry continue to invest in training and development.
At the CKA Group, the specialist recruitment organisation within the chemical and life sciences industries, we are expanding our European, engineering and science operations so that we can assist our clients in meeting their staffing needs, offering expert advice in a wide variety of areas. We also work closely with schools and universities to encourage students to enter the scientific industry, arranging open days, placements, careers seminars, internships sponsorships and prizes.
If you are interested in finding out more about our services, contact me on
0114 283 9956.
