Colin Roope

The key findings from the Make UK Q2 bulletin : • 83% of manufacturers attempted to recruit new staff in Q2 – and more manufacturers (67%) were able to fill most of their vacancies compared to any point since end of 2022 • Biggest barriers still lack of candidates with the right skills (65.6%) followed by lack of applicants with right qualifications (31.9%) • 33% of companies have increased pay to the new living wage level • A third of companies say employment costs now count for between a quarter and half of their total business expenditure

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Great article from MAKE UK, really highlighting the issues currently facing the manufacturing sector! The UK manufacturing sector is grappling with a significant labour shortage, with over a third of vacancies difficult to fill due to a lack of skilled candidates. This challenge is exacerbated by factors like Brexit, digitalisation, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. As manufacturers seek to adapt, innovative strategies for recruitment and workforce development will be crucial for sustaining growth and competitiveness.

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Equipment failures in manufacturing and engineering can be catastrophic to an organisation. As a recruiter who has partnered with many companies like ARMS Reliability I’m no expert but, I've seen firsthand how critical a comprehensive reliability strategy is for organizations. Even a single point of failure could spell disaster in terms of downtime costs, compliance violations, or missed production goals. When speaking with Engineers focused on reliability I always focus on failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) as one of the core skills in reliability. When done properly, it alerts key stakeholders to risks that can then be mitigated through design changes, preventative maintenance, and allows organizations to get ahead of issues before serious incidents occur. I've heard from many engineers I've worked with, conducting thorough FMEAs is no easy feat, especially for complex assets with thousands of potential failure modes to document and assess. Engineers frequently expressed frustration with the tedious manual efforts required and spoke about how their eyes glazed over from filling out endless forms and tables. But is seems like things are changing as AI-powered FMEA solutions like Sologic's new Causelink FMEA allows engineers to cross reference and log failures while Automating reports that highlight priorities.

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Curious about the future of talent in the UK aerospace and defence sector? Check out how Talent Solutions is leading the way in addressing industry needs.

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In the coming years, executive hiring in the UK Manufacturing and Engineering sectors will face several significant and ongoing challenges. One major issue is the growing skills shortage, particularly in technical leadership roles. As the sectors continue to adapt to new technologies like Automation, AI, and Industry 4.0, finding executives with the right mix of technical expertise, leadership acumen, and adaptability is becoming increasingly difficult. Another challenge is the post-Brexit regulatory landscape which complicates talent acquisition from overseas. Many companies relied on skilled talent from the EU, but with changing immigration rules and visa / Right-To Work legislation, attracting high-caliber executives from Europe is more difficult and combined with UK-based talent pools that are shrinking, this is further exacerbating the talent shortage. The push towards sustainability and green manufacturing is also reshaping the skillsets required at the senior level. Executives are expected to lead organizations through an era of regulatory changes, demanding net-zero carbon targets, and evolving consumer expectations. Leaders with experience in sustainable practices, environmental compliance, and sustainable / ethical supply chain management are now highly sought after but ever in short supply. The ongoing shift to remote and hybrid working models will also present a strong challenge for senior hires in the coming years. While operational flexibility is critical, it can complicate leadership dynamics, team cohesion, and organisational culture. Hiring Executives who can effectively lead in these changing environments while maintaining productivity and innovation, is essential but will require a dedicated talent strategy moving forward into 2025 and beyond. All these challenges and the changing employment landscape will require a proactive, innovative approach to recruitment, with a focus on strategic talent development, broader candidate pools, and fostering / developing leadership skills for a rapidly changing industry. If you would like to discuss your Senior and Executive recruitment strategy and talent plan with the myself or the team here Lord Search & Selection then please reach out for more information on how we can support these plans moving forward with our robust process and proven attraction strategy. #executivesearch #recruitment #manufacturing #engineering #warfortalent #trends #talentattraction

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To hire or not to hire? Recruit-to-replace or time to invest further? Economic data has certainly been mixed in recent times but finding good talent is already challenging. How do your peers and colleagues feel about the year ahead and how are employers planning their recruitment strategies to stay ahead of the curve? We will shortly be launching our latest half-yearly industrial automation & robotics market sentiment survey. The last exercise attracted input from over 150 industry professionals and we’d welcome your own input in the latest. As usual, free copies of the aggregated results will be circulated to all participants. Please watch this space for the survey launch in the coming weeks and thanks in advance for taking part. Proactive Global #industrialautomation and #robotics #recruitment #intralogistics #baggagehandling Jai S. Lee Luu Isaac Griffith Cian Denvir Georgia Lanch Tarek Z. Robbie D'Agostino

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🏭 What are the biggest challenges facing the UK Manufacturing Industry? The talent shortage within the UK manufacturing industry continues to be a challenge for employers across the sector. In an interview with Manufacturing Management, Paul Gibbens, UK&I Director of Engineering at Hays discusses this in further detail – with insights from our UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2024 guide, as well as what Hays are doing to support employers with their hiring challenges.

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FREE HIRING TRENDS eBOOK Get your FREE copy of our guide to past, present, and future hiring trends within the UK engineering and manufacturing Industry "If you're a hiring manager, we have a series of good reads available for the sectors we cover. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing those with you. But if you can't wait and want the Food Production or Viticulture one, or a recruitment one that covers everything, let me know!" https://lnkd.in/e_rxrTFP Its at the bottom of the page #EngineeringUK #ManufacturingUK #hiringmanager

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Make UK reports that manufacturing recruitment eased in the last quarter, with two-thirds of companies able to fill the majority of their vacancies, however, the biggest barrier to recruitment remains a lack of candidates with the right skills followed by a lack of applicants with the right qualifications. - The Global Recruiter What can and should be done to help ease this for future recruitment? #recruitment #manufacturing #careers

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🇬🇧 Let's dive into the latest stats on UK's manufacturing output! 📊 🏭 UK 🇬🇧 manufacturing remains resilient amidst current economic challenges. In May 2024, output 📈 by 1%, showcasing steady growth. 💪 Despite global uncertainties, the sector 🏗️ continues to drive innovation, creating opportunities for skilled professionals. 🎯 💬 How do these figures resonate with your industry insights? Share your thoughts below! 💬 🔍 #UKManufacturing #EconomicGrowth #IndustryInsights

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Are you curious to know what 2023 had in store for manufacturing and engineering jobs? Our Annual STEM Market Report has got you covered! From industry insights and bold predictions to recent trends, our report is your ultimate guide to the world of STEM jobs. 2023 was a year of resilience and adaptation for the manufacturing and engineering sectors. While some industries faced temporary setbacks due to supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainties, others thrived as they accelerated their digital transformation efforts. Automation and advanced technologies played a significant role in reshaping traditional manufacturing processes, leading to increased efficiency and productivity in many sectors. The demand for skilled engineers remained robust, with a growing emphasis on innovation and sustainability driving the need for specialized expertise. Our report covers all these trends and more, highlighting the importance of agility and innovation in navigating complex market landscapes. So, if you want to stay ahead of the game and learn more about the exciting world of STEM jobs, grab a copy of our Annual STEM Market Report today! https://lnkd.in/ghy4fHCD

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Tackling talent acquisition challenges in the competitive UK design, electronics, and manufacturing sector demands precision. A retained search offers a unique advantage by delving beyond usual talent pools to unearth candidates perfectly aligned with company culture. Eager to optimize your hiring process and boost retention rates? Drop a comment or reach out to explore effective recruitment strategies. Let's navigate this together! 🌟 #UKRecruitment #TalentAcquisition #EffectiveHiring

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🏭 Advanced manufacturing is key sector in UK’s new industrial strategy 🧑‍💼 The UK government has identified advanced manufacturing as one of eight key sectors that its industrial strategy – the first new one for seven years – will focus on in an attempt to deliver long-term growth for the nation. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/d8Hp6YGm #DrivesControls #Automation #UKManufacturing #IndustrialAutomation #ManufacturingExcellence #SmartManufacturing #EngineeringInnovation #ProcessAutomation #ManufacturingTechnology #Industry40 https://lnkd.in/d8Hp6YGm

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Engage in Retained Search for Quality Candidates As a recruiter specialising in the UK's thriving design, electronics, and manufacturing industry, I've seen firsthand the benefits of a retained search. 🌟 Retained searches ensure a commitment to quality and fit. With 78% of companies reporting a significant improvement in candidate quality through retained searches (source: UK Recruitment Insights 2024), it's clear that this approach can transform your hiring process. Imagine the impact of having the right talent, perfectly matched to your business needs, driving your success forward. Isn't it time to consider a partnership that prioritises the long-term success of your business? Connect with me to discover the difference a focused search can make. Visit versorecruitment.com to learn more. 🔍 Let's find the best together. #Recruitment #UKManufacturing #TalentAcquisition

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