• • • TRADE SKILLS • • •
INVESTING IN THE ENGINEERS OF TOMORROW
significant amount of knowledge within experienced engineers that needs to be passed on to the next generation. If businesses continually recruit for experience
BY JAMIE WHITE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, EXACTAFORM
1.With the electrical engineering industry facing an ongoing skills shortage, why is it so important that businesses invest in young talent rather than relying solely on experienced engineers?
The skills challenge facing British engineering and manufacturing cannot be solved by recruitment alone. While there is clearly a need to attract experienced engineers into the industry, businesses also have a responsibility to develop the next generation themselves. Engineering expertise takes time to build, and
you can’t simply hire someone with every skill you need, particularly as technology and manufacturing processes continue to evolve. Investing in young people gives businesses the opportunity to develop technical capability around their own processes and culture, while also bringing in new ideas and perspectives. At Exactaform, we see young talent as an
investment in the long-term strength of the business. Giving people the opportunity to learn, take on responsibility and develop their expertise is how you build a workforce that can grow alongside the business.
2. What are the risks to businesses and the wider electrical engineering sector if companies fail to invest in apprenticeships, graduate schemes and early-career development?
The biggest risk is that we end up with a widening gap between the skills businesses need and the skills available in the workforce. There is also a
without developing people internally, that knowledge becomes increasingly difficult to replace. It can also make businesses more dependent on a shrinking pool of experienced talent.
3. How can businesses create a stronger pipeline of young engineers, and what does meaningful investment in the next generation actually look like in practice?
It has to go beyond simply recruiting an apprentice or graduate and hoping they develop naturally. Meaningful investment means giving young people structured training, exposure to experienced colleagues, mentoring and a clear understanding of where their career could go. It also means giving them practical experience.
Young people need to see what modern manufacturing actually looks like and understand the technology, engineering and problem-solving involved. We’re increasingly focused on making
development more structured, with clear growth plans and opportunities to broaden people’s technical and product knowledge. The aim is to give people the tools and confidence to build a long-term career rather than simply giving them their first job.
4. There can be a tendency for businesses to prioritise candidates who already have extensive experience. Why should employers be willing to take a chance on young people and develop their skills from the ground up?
Experience is valuable, but it shouldn’t be the only measure of potential. Young people can bring
20 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2026
curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn that can be just as valuable to a business. Technical skills can be developed over time. What is much harder to teach is attitude, commitment and a genuine desire to improve. There’s also a benefit to developing people from
the ground up. You can give them a strong understanding of your processes and standards while allowing them to develop alongside the business. You’re not simply hiring someone to do a job; you’re creating the next generation of expertise within the organisation.
5. With technologies such as AI, electrification, automation and smart infrastructure transforming the industry, why could investing in young engineers today be essential to ensuring businesses have the skills they need tomorrow?
As technology and manufacturing processes continue to evolve, businesses need to develop a workforce that can adapt alongside them. Investing in young engineers gives companies the opportunity to build the skills they will need for the future, rather than simply recruiting for the capabilities they need today. New technologies also bring new ways of
thinking, so bringing young talent into the industry can introduce fresh perspectives while allowing businesses to develop technical expertise around their own processes and culture. At Exactaform, we see that investment as part of
building the long-term strength of the business. Giving young engineers the opportunity to learn, take on responsibility and grow their expertise helps create a workforce that is better equipped to adapt as technology changes and the industry evolves.
www.exactaform.com
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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