Engineering, in manufacturing, information technology, construction or energy, plays a vital role in the Scottish economy and provides a platform for innovation to grow the economy and create jobs. Careers in Engineering are on the rise in Scotland and these jobs represent an exciting opportunity for our young people.
To give you a window into engineering career pathways, we’ve pulled together some of the key websites, facts and reports into one place.
Key websites
Neon Futures – Brilliant inspiration for STEM teachers
Facts
- There are 139,300 people currently working in engineering in Scotland.
- Between 2022 to 2025 a further 8,200 people will be needed to fill job openings.
- In 2022 there were 4,821 Modern Apprentices working within engineering in Scotland.
- Scotland’s engineering and advanced manufacturing sector contributes £9 billion a year to the nation’s economy.
- There were approximately 486,600 engineers working in the UK as of the first quarter of 2023.
- 47% of 11 to 19 year olds said they knew little or almost nothing about what engineers do.
- About 1.7 million people are employed within UK engineering, with 265,000 people needed to enter the UK’s engineering workforce annually to meet demand.
- The UK engineering sector makes a major contribution to the economy – quantified as nearly half a trillion pounds annually.
- Engineering has a direct presence in the secondary school curriculum in Scotland, with
engineering science offered at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels.
Reports
- Engineering skills needs – now and into the future
- New review published on interventions to increase girls’ aspirations for engineering and tech careers
- Secondary pathways into engineering
Resources
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2023
Demand for engineers increasing, with rapid growth in green jobs – EngineeringUK
Skills Development Scotland – Engineering
