2024 Recruitment Trends in STEM

The UK labour market has seen a large decline in vacancies in 2024, with unemployment rising from 4.2% to 4.4%. The UK is missing skilled workers due to economic inactivity causing 3 million people between the ages of 16 – 64 to become economically inactive and unemployed.

However, 2024 recruitment trends are expected to improve in the UK as the year goes on, due to falling inflation and the lifting of political uncertainty improving the UK economy. Following the annual growth of average salaries in the UK, particularly for manual workers, as there has been a surge in the demand for workers in industries such as manufacturing and construction too.

Join us as we delve deeper into 2024’s recruitment trends across several of the UK’s key industries, and study if, how and when such trends could change throughout the remainder of 2024 and beyond.

Recruitment Trends Within Key UK Industries

Building, Construction and Infrastructure

The building, construction and infrastructure sector has seen a large increase in employment so far in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. The easing of inflation within the UK and other factors is predicted to lead to a rise in private investment, revitalising projects that have been put on hold. This is likely to create a high demand for skilled workers to carry out these construction projects.

The growth of the Building, Construction and Infrastructure sector is set to resume in 2025 with a demand for skilled labour workers needed to meet the governments high ambitions for new housing and infrastructure projects. This surge in demand for skilled labour workers will result in the overall increase in valuable employment for skilled construction workers across the UK.

Manufacturing and Technology

The manufacturing and technology sector has seen a large increase in recruitment opportunities by 38% in 2024, driving the demand for skilled workers to fill these positions. However, the industry has seen a talent shortage of upskilled workers to fit the positions, with some predicting that over 2.1 million jobs will remain unfilled by 2030.

In a digital landscape, technology is constantly evolving, meaning it is prevalent for existing workers within the technology and manufacturing industry to seek training from their employer. Upskilling and reskilling existing workers will bridge the gaps within the industry as skilled workers are constantly being produced. Another trend which will help to bridge the skill gaps in 2024 is engaging with schools and colleges to inspire interest in young people to seek a career within the sector. This helps to secure the future workforce and ensure fresh talent.

Engineering technology

As the technological world evolves, the demand for skilled workers grows. The engineering technology industry has an increasing number of job vacancies available each year due to advances in technology and software. Therefore, organisations are on the hunt for educated candidates to fulfil these roles.

Organisations must take action to attract a certain level of skillset fit for the vacancies within the sector such as: upskilling existing workers, connecting with younger people, fostering cybersecurity measures into systems and prioritising diversity within the workplace. These actions are crucial for brand representations and ensuring you are attracting the right candidates for the role.

Power, Utilities and Renewables

The power, utilities and renewable sector is one of the largest sectors showcasing salary increases, with over 54% of workers reporting a pay increase so far in 2024. As for hiring managers, over 67% have received a pay increase so far in 2024. To continue to keep this stability within the sector, power firms must conduct regular salary assessments to ensure competitive compensation packages and to keep workers motivated.

Renewable energy has been identified as the most attractive sector for power workers to switch to, with 91% of power workers stating that they would be motivated to switch positions if offered a higher salary. Overall, employees seem content with their salaries and with the promise of stable salary increase. However, many power workers have been approached to switch positions within the sector for a higher income.

Mechanical and Electrical

So far in 2024 the engineering industry has seen the largest increase in permanent job demand across all sectors, despite skill shortages. This includes electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, design engineering, software development and system engineers. The UK has seen a bid skills shortage in both the mechanical and electrical sector meaning more job vacancies are becoming available.

Organisations within the mechanical and electrical sector must take actions towards bridging the skill gap within the sector and finding skilled workers to fill these positions. Trends identified for solving this skill gap so far have been upskilling existing workers, connecting with younger people and prioritising diversity within the workplace. Acting towards solving the skill shortage within the engineering sector is crucial for ensuring a secure future workforce for the industry.

Aviation

There has been a large talent shortage within the aviation industry due to profound transformations driven by technological advancements, shifting workforce dynamics and evolving industry demands. After the pandemic, many aircraft engineers took to retirement or were recorded to switch to different industries that offered a more stable work environment. The demand for skilled workers to fulfil these gaps within the aviation industry continues in 2024 with the need for licensed aircraft engineers, pilots, cabin crew and operations staff.

 Airlines within the aviation industry must act against the skill gaps within the industry to protect the future workforce. Actions may include upskilling existing workers, offering apprenticeship programmes and connecting with schools and colleges to inspire the younger generation.