Britain is not skilled enough to leave EU, says recruitment expert

A vote to leave the EU in Thursday’s referendum will have a serious impact on the number of skilled engineers in the UK, argues James Turnpenny.

The implications that would arise from the UK leaving the European Union are vast and wide ranging, with an impact expected to be seen across a whole host of areas, none more so than on the engineering jobs market.

We’ve all heard of the changes that a Brexit vote will have on issues such as the economy and immigration, however a decision to leave could also lead to the UK suffering from an even greater skills shortage. It’s already been reported that the UK will need over a million new engineers and technicians by 2020 in order to tackle the skills crisis.

Put simply, the UK doesn’t currently have the required levels of trained workers within the engineering industry to leave the EU. Across many industries we’re in a similar position as we find ourselves in with engineering. Within the sector, there is currently a war for talent, as we’re not in a position where we have the trained home-grown workforce that would allow us to continue operating at a level the industry requires. 

The much publicised current skills shortage means we’re increasingly looking to other nations to source workers who possess the required skillset to fill roles. Presently, a high proportion of students enrolled in engineering courses  are overseas students meaning that once they’re qualified they may decide, or be forced, to return home. So, a victory for the ‘Leave’ campaign would certainly have an impact on the number of skilled workers in the UK.

James Turnpenny is team manager for engineering at Manchester-based JAM Recruitment.